NEVER DOUBT YOUR SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE

I do this all the time. I did it less than an hour ago. I came downstairs feeling so excited that I’d been inspired to get back to my journal. I voiced my feeling out loud sounding as excited as a kid—when, right afterwards, I heard the subtle voice of doubt sing out, "oh you fool, you sound so childish!" "Inspiration," "feeling inspired," what’s that about?

Maharishi says that doubt is the biggest hindrance to spiritual progress. I know through my own experience that this is true. If I doubt that I’m having this experience of non-attachment, I will stop having it—it’s that simple. So why doubt? Doubt only serves to prevent what is really happening. Doubt created a superficial level, which really doesn’t exist. Doubt is an illusion. Doubt is something I manifest out of fear. Fear of what’s real. Doubt, in that sense, is denial—denial of what’s real and good and true.

Sometimes spiritual experience comes in disguise. Once I was riding my bike back from a swim at the beach when suddenly I was overcome with a vision of pure beauty all around me. I was on the street I live on, which I’d ridden up and down hundreds of times before, but never had I noticed the sheer beauty of the trees, the houses, the street itself—everything—and the way things were placed relative to one another. I stopped riding, got off my bike and just stood still for a few minutes. I knew what was happening—the experience I was having—was more than the usual. It was a feeling of being one with everything.

As much as I’d like to discount that simple moment, in my heart I know I shouldn’t, and can’t. I know that it’s good for me—and for us all—to believe in these precious moments that are given to us. They come at any time and may hardly seem to be there at all. But the more we practice paying attention and honoring them, I’m convinced the more they will come.