Character Building in Spirituality
Character building in spirituality isn’t just about being peaceful during meditation or chanting mantras. It’s about how we behave when things don’t go our way—how we treat others, how we control our anger, and how we stay humble in the face of success. True spiritual growth happens not in isolation but in the middle of daily life, when our patience, love, and strength are put to the test.
There’s a story about two brothers, Arjun and Rishi, who lived in the same household but were very different. Arjun was known for his long meditation hours and his knowledge of scriptures. Rishi, on the other hand, helped around the house, took care of their aging parents, and was often busy resolving conflicts in the neighborhood.
One day, their guru visited them. Arjun proudly said, “I meditate four hours a day and chant mantras every morning and night.”
The guru nodded and asked Rishi, “And what about you?”
Rishi replied humbly, “I meditate when I get a chance, but I try to be calm when things go wrong and kind when people aren’t.”
The guru smiled and said, “Both paths are good, but true character building in spirituality is seen in how you live with others, not how long you sit in silence.”
Character Building in Spirituality is the Real Test
As Master Choa Kok Sui writes in Beyond the Mind – The Golden Lotus Sutras on Meditation:
“Spiritual development is dependent upon inner purification or character building. The inner purification or character building achieved is tested when you live with people and you are subject to conflicting pressures.”
That means spiritual growth isn’t proven by how many retreats you attend or how many scriptures you can quote. It’s shown when you choose to forgive someone who hurt you, or when you stay honest even when lying would be easier.
When you live with people, face stress, manage projects, and still stay centered—that’s real growth. Character building in spirituality is tested in real life: at home, at work, in traffic, in arguments, and in difficult conversations.
Meditation and rituals do help, but they are tools to strengthen you for life. Not a way to escape it.
So, the next time you’re tempted to react with anger, or feel like giving up on someone, or boast about a win—pause and ask yourself: “What would a spiritually strong version of me do right now?”
Spirituality isn’t about escaping life. It’s about embracing it with grace.
Let your character building in spirituality reflect in the small, everyday choices. That’s where your light truly shines.
