Environment: Hidden Key To Spiritual Success

by Alan L. Pritz

When thinking about developing spiritually in life we often consider pursuing practices of prayer and meditation. These actions are obviously and undoubtedly beneficial. The key word here is obvious. It gives rise to the question of whether there are other ingredients to spiritual success that are less so? Indeed there are, and, we shall discuss one of the most important ones, Environment.

To understand the nature of environment and its impact on spiritual success, one must also understand something about the nature of magnetism. Everything in creation is a manifestation of energy. Even solids are but forms of energy vibrating at speeds that give them the appearance of physical form. And, magnetic principles and properties always attend energetic phenomena. From a subtle spiritual basis, all things also have uplifting, activating, or degrading qualities. Thus everything in creation exudes either attractive or repellent magnetic qualities as well as uplifting, activating, or degrading aspects according to the nature of their energetic composition.

This electro-magnetic vibratory underpinning of creation has a pervasive influence on all things. Whether we know it or not, we're constantly exposed to and exchange magnetism with people in our surrounding environment. In fact, we are also affected by the vibratory influence of seemingly inert objects or atmospheres. Who, for example, has not felt uplifted by a beautiful nature scene or degraded by a tawdry bar environ? Who has not wondered at the influence of certain people or places on themselves or their kids? These feelings are not merely the result of relative subjective experience, but mirror the actual uplifting or degrading vibration of different manifestations of energy as expressed in either positive or negative form. This exchange of magnetism has subtle but real influence on us. It's this very exchange that forms the basis for understanding the impact of environment.

First of all, there are two kinds of environments, the inner and outer. The inner one is your mental state and is of chief importance from a spiritual perspective. However, outer environment has a direct affect upon the inner one. If one subscribes to the doctrine of reincarnation, we're each born with pre-existing tendencies. Regardless of acceptance of this doctrine, early childhood environments either shape or stifle certain qualities. It is through reaction to our outer environment that our inner environment of thought and habit is formed. Then, coupled with the influence of pre-existing tendencies, our inner state pilots us almost automatically, for better or worse, through the rest of life. This isn't meant to blame parents for our current behavior. Rather it is to show that all are subject to the molding influence of other people as well as places.

As we grow up, it becomes a function of consciously activated free will to make changes, to choose our path in life, and subsequently our environment. This form of environment consists not only of where we live and work, but also the books we read, the company we keep, the entertainment we seek, and so forth. The important thing to realize is that environment, like a vitamin pill or dose of poison, will work upon us regardless of conscious awareness. This reality is based upon the laws of vibratory exchange as briefly mentioned above. Knowing this, begin now to make conscious environmental changes to improve your lot in life. Instead of acting automatically, think about the impact of who you spend time with, where you stay, what you read, how you think. Consider doing a spring cleaning of sorts. If there are people who bring you down, bless them from a distance but invite others who uplift you into your life. If you have chronic habits you wish to alter (and who doesn't?!), select associates or places that have the desired qualities you seek and consciously spend time with them. Learn to draw on the positive influence of others by meditating on them or inwardly attuning yourself to their beneficial traits.

It is said that if you want to be successful in any endeavor it is wise to associate with those who represent the pinnacle of attainment in that chosen field. So, if you want to be good at art, mingle with excellent artists. Likewise if you wish commercial success, foster the company of top-notch business folks. And most importantly, if you wish to attain spiritual success, keep the company of saints. The latter can be done in actuality either through physical association or through conscious study of their teachings, meditating upon them, and being in proximity of like-minded spiritual aspirants. A gentle warning however, one must be sincere in the effort to absorb positive influences in order for them to be most efficacious…after all, a mouse on holy ground does not automatically become a saint! Earnest individual effort coupled with the positive magnetic influence of spiritual environment effects the greatest benefit. This is one reason why Buddhists, yogis, and other religionists extol the company of similar spiritual seekers.

This lesson will be a valuable key to making conscious decisions about any future activity or associations. Make a wish list of how you'd like to see yourself become and then cultivate the associations, human or otherwise, that will help make this wish become a reality. Above all else, seek the all-inspiring, uplifting influence of Spirit. Make sure your life is tailored around eternal Divine principles and practices that will bring true success and lasting happiness into your life.