A wise teaching from Grand Master Choa Kok Sui reminds us: “If you master character building, it shows your soul is evolving.” (The Golden Lotus Sutras on Character Building). These simple yet profound words invite us to reflect on where we stand in our spiritual evolution. Think about it—what you once considered “normal” or acceptable may now feel completely out of alignment with who you are becoming. That shift is not random. It is the sign of your soul’s growth.
The Journey of Spiritual Evolution Through Time
We don’t expect morals or ethics from animals. Their souls are still at a very primitive stage. Similarly, early humans, largely hunter-gatherers, lived by instincts of survival, not lofty principles. Even 500 years ago, what was socially acceptable is now seen as unthinkable. This steady change marks the evolution of human consciousness, which is nothing but humanity’s collective spiritual evolution.
As the soul evolves, the yardstick of what feels acceptable keeps rising. What you tolerated from yourself before no longer resonates now. And for those walking the spiritual path, this isn’t about external judgment—it’s about the inner compass of your own soul.
If you want to deepen this awareness, you may enjoy reading Observe Your Thoughts and Emotions, which explains how mindfulness can guide spiritual growth.
Character Building: A Mirror of Soul Contact
Grand Master Choa Kok Sui also said: “Character is the manifestation of the degree of soul contact.” When you strengthen virtues like honesty, compassion, and generosity, you are in touch with your higher self. This is why character building is inseparable from spiritual evolution.
Your thoughts, words, and actions reflect the maturity of your soul. When your identification is only with the physical body, the lower chakras—focused on survival and basic desires—stay dominant. But as awareness shifts towards your higher self, your higher chakras awaken. This naturally makes it easier to practice compassion, discipline, and truth.
This connection between thoughts and actions is beautifully explained in Achieve Your Goals: How to Manage Emotions and Stay Focused, where managing emotions is seen as the key to staying aligned with your higher self.
Walking the Path of Spiritual Evolution
Spiritual evolution is not an overnight leap—it is a journey of consistent inner work. With each act of self-reflection, with every effort to practice virtue over impulse, you are raising your consciousness. The real progress is measured not by external success but by the depth of your character and the degree of your soul contact.
In the end, no one else is your judge. It is your own soul that silently shows you where you are in your spiritual evolution. For practical tools, read Observe Your Thoughts and Emotions – Part 2 to see how awareness can transform your inner journey.
That’s emotional control in action.
Self-awareness and emotions: the key to transformation
The truth is, we can’t control what we’re not aware of. In Internal Awareness for Self-Mastery: The Key to Transformation, I spoke about the power of noticing what is happening inside us.
When we pause and observe our anger, fear, or anxiety, something shifts. Awareness creates distance. Suddenly, you’re not drowning in the emotion — you’re watching it. And that awareness is the first step to inner stillness.
Emotional control leads to inner stillness
Master Choa Kok Sui’s words ring like a bell:
“If emotions and passions are not controlled, how can you have stillness?”
Stillness is not about forcing your mind to go blank. It is about softening the storms inside. By learning to control your emotions, you open the door to clarity, calmness, and peace.
So the next time your emotions rise like a tide, pause. Breathe. Notice them. Choose how to respond. In that choice lies your strength, and in that strength lies your stillness.
Reflection Question for You: What is one emotion that most often pulls you away from calmness? And what would change if you could master it?
If this reflection touched something within you, I invite you to explore more.
You may enjoy reading:
Each of these writings offers a small step toward greater self-awareness and inner stillness.
Meditation is widely celebrated for reducing stress, improving emotional health, and enhancing overall wellbeing. Yet, it’s important to recognize that the side effects of meditation are real and deserve attention. Just as physical detoxes can cause temporary discomfort before healing, meditation can bring suppressed emotions and psychological issues to the surface. This phenomenon has been documented in scientific studies, and it highlights the need for proper preparation before deep meditation.
In his profound book “Beyond the Mind: The Golden Lotus Sutras on Meditation,” Master Choa Kok Sui wrote:
“People in general are psychologically constipated. Before you do meditation, you must do cleansing to minimise psychological catharsis.”
This insight aligns with modern psychological research revealing that meditation can sometimes provoke negative experiences, especially without proper guidance or preparation.
What Are the Side Effects of Meditation?
For many beginners and even some seasoned meditators, it can be surprising to face the darker side of inner stillness. A 2017 review published in PLOS ONE by Lindahl and colleagues explored a range of meditation-related challenges among Western practitioners. The study found that meditation can sometimes trigger difficult emotional and psychological experiences such as:
- Surfacing of painful or unresolved emotions
- Heightened anxiety or restlessness
- Disruption in sleep patterns
- Emotional outbursts or mood swings
- Feelings of confusion or disorientation
These reactions, often referred to as “meditation-related difficulties” or “adverse effects,” do not mean the practice is inherently harmful. Rather, they suggest that meditation can bring subconscious material to the surface—and this emotional “detox” requires thoughtful preparation and support.
For beginners and those seeking a gentle yet powerful approach, Meditation on Twin Hearts is highly recommended. This guided meditation opens the heart and crown chakras, cleansing negative energy and promoting loving-kindness, which helps stabilize emotions during practice.
The Importance of Cleansing Before Meditation
Master Choa Kok Sui emphasized that energetic hygiene is as important as physical hygiene. For advanced spiritual practitioners, cleansing the emotional and mental bodies before meditation minimizes intense psychological catharsis, creating a safer and more balanced experience.
Some effective cleansing methods include:
- Physical exercises: There are certain simple exercises that help open up your meridians and joints, to enable free movement of energy.
- Pranic Psychotherapy: A technique within Pranic Healing shown to help release deep-seated emotional blockages.
- Self-Healing: Regular self-applied pranic healing balances the aura and chakras, fostering emotional stability.
- Salt Baths: Used to cleanse the energy body and reduce anxiety
- Forgiveness Practice: Scientifically linked to better emotional health and less stress (Toussaint et al., 2015).
- Breathing Techniques: Breathing techniques are shown to calm the nervous system and regulate emotions.
- Arhatic Yoga Purification Rituals: These comprehensive spiritual practices include physical exercises and energetic cleansing, minimizing inner turbulence during meditation. Read about Arhatic Yoga here)
- Chanting: Chanting “Om” or “Amen” also has a purifying effect and can be practised before meditating.
Think of these as preparing the mind and spirit, like sweeping the floor before a prayer.
The Path Forward: Cleansing + Meditation
Meditation is a doorway to inner peace and self-awareness—but only if the path is cleared. Skipping cleansing is like diving into deep waters without a life jacket.
If you’ve experienced anxiety or confusion after meditation, you’re not alone. These experiences indicate you are ready to release old baggage, but gradual and supported letting go is essential.
Before your next meditation session, pause and cleanse your inner space. The meditation experience post cleansing is totally worth it.
References:
- Lindahl, J. R., et al. (2017). The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists. PLOS ONE.
- Toussaint, L., et al. (2015). Forgiveness and health: A review of evidence and implications for practice. Springer.
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.
