Spiritual Growth and Your Karmic Balance
Why does it seem like some people have all the luck? They have a harmonious family life, stable finances, a strong and healthy body, and a sharp intellect. We’d say that the cards of life are stacked in their favor.
The conditions mentioned above can be thought of as good luck—or good karma. But there’s another kind of fortune that spiritual aspirants value even more. And that is spiritual growth. You sense that spiritual practices like meditation are worth your time. Even if you doubt your ability to reach the ultimate goal of Self-realization in this lifetime, you know that you’re on your way.
What is a Spiritual Bank Balance?
When we turn to the spiritual path with enthusiasm, on our own, without formal training, it’s due to the merit of actions in previous lives. This natural tendency is a result of our spiritual bank balance.
To what degree have you experienced spiritual inclination? The range is enormous. You might have just a slight sense of “something other.” You might already be tasting from the spiritual smorgasbord, dipping into each path you cross and then moving on. If you commit to following one path or teacher over a long period of time, you’re most fortunate. But that fortune is not luck—it’s the effect of past actions.
I’d wager a guess that anyone now reading is interested in spiritual growth. Give yourself some credit—you share a common thread with the greatest spiritual giants ever known.
The Common Thread Among Self-Realized Beings
In previous posts I’ve shown the importance of keeping company with saints. But have you ever wondered how saints evolve into the saintly state? More importantly, have you considered how you might become a saint yourself?
In “The Benefits of Studying the Lives of Saints: Part I,” I said that very few holy men—or women—are born enlightened. Most of them started like us. They arrived under normal circumstances, went to school, and might have started family life. Some were born into royalty or wealth, others into poverty. Yet, when we examine their lives, we notice similarities.
Most notably, when saints and sages come into this world, they already have some degree of spiritual interest. Many were devoted to their family’s religion from a young age, before formal instruction. Others were drawn to spirituality outside their religion. In some cases, young saints-to-be were obsessed with the desire to realize their inner Self. They left their parent’s home at a young age to pursue their quest. With little or no support or prodding these souls sought their own spiritual growth.
This is the common thread among all spiritually inclined people. It’s an interest in the spiritual life or religion. Sometimes it manifests simply as a natural desire to be and do good.
Scriptures Support the Concept of Spiritual Growth
Great spiritual beings begin with an inherent interest in mysticism—they seek a relationship with the Divine. They’re all, to some degree, born with the desire to know God. You might be aware of this quality within yourself. Or you might simply be curious about its possibilities.
Yoga masters say that sincere interest in the spiritual life is the effect of one’s past effort towards spiritual growth. This principle is mentioned in scriptures, East and West:
“A man’s latent tendencies have been created by his past thoughts and actions. These tendencies will bear fruit, both in this life and in lives to come.” (Yoga Sutra III:12)
“Do not save riches here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, save riches in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.” (The New Testament, Matthew 6:19-21)
We are born with a spiritual bank balance. It’s a result of our past actions and thoughts, and it’s extremely valuable. It’s the starting point for each of us in this lifetime.
Increasing Your Spiritual Growth
As Jesus said in the above New Testament quote, no one can steal your spiritual wealth. However, your spiritual growth can be affected each waking moment of your life—by you. Your thoughts and actions now are the only things that can diminish or increase it.
If you have a million dollars, would you tuck it away under your mattress for safekeeping? Of course not. It might get stolen, or a fire could burn it. You’d protect your wealth by putting it in a safe place and letting it earn interest. You would also increase your investment by adding to it.
It’s the same with our spiritual wealth. The safest place to store a spiritual bank balance is within a pure mind. Meditating every day and keeping good company purifies the mind. Good actions and a positive attitude are the ongoing investments that we make.
We know banks need security and safeguarding. Similarly, the purity of your mind needs vigilant protection from thieves and bad investments. Yoga scriptures and masters warn us:
“There are three gateways to the utter ruin of one’s soul: desire, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should renounce these three. The man who has escaped these three gates of darkness, and practices what is good for him attains the Supreme Goal.” (Bhagavad Gita 16:21-22)
Desire, anger, and greed are like big rocks that obstruct our spiritual journey. But there are less obvious factors that affect our spiritual growth. We squander our merit when we’re critical, unkind, or untruthful to others. All of these diminish the mind’s purity and make it more difficult to see the Divine in others and ourselves.
Where do I go from here?
Our lives offer many distractions, so we need to make a firm commitment to our spiritual growth. And we must reaffirm that commitment daily. A helpful tool for this is The Five-Minute Journal (aff link). It’s a simple, quick, and easy way to stay on track.
Here’s a short list of suggestions to increase your spiritual bank balance:
- Meditate daily.
- Keep company with saints.
- Avoid bad company.
- Watch your mind.
- Repeat your mantra
- Think good thoughts and do good deeds.
You are reading this article and have continued to the end. This shows that you already have a spiritual bank balance. Please take a moment to share with others how you think you’ve come to this point by leaving a comment below.
Chityānanda has been a disciple of Svāmī Gurupremānanda Sarasvatī since 1975. She teaches meditation and yoga as a spiritual path in Santa Cruz, California.
My Dearest Svāmi Chityānanda Sarasvati,
I really enjoy reading your articles each week.This article on Spiritual Bank Balance is really good. For me it makes me think about how rich I am and that I must have done something spiritually good to get a true and perfect Guru in this life. To be in the company of a benevolent being each week I am forever grateful and blessed.
Thank you for sharing and reminding us all how blessed we are.
Thank you for your comment, Nakisa. I appreciate knowing that you are reading the articles and benefiting from them. Yes, I agree, you are indeed blessed! Namaste.
All of your articles are very good and useful for one on or thinking of being on a spiritual path. So far this one is my favorite. Your suggestions for increasing ones spiritual bank balance are things I can think about and do every day. Thank you.
Thank you for the feedback, Gary, and very best wishes for success in increasing your spiritual bank balance. Namaste.
Hi Svāmi Chityānanda,
I firmly believe that humility is the gateway to a healthy bank balance. One becomes filled with faith, refuge in a greater power, choices are uplifting, and evil influences fall away. You may feel a push from the past and certainly feel a intuitive connection. I am living my choice and ever grateful to my Guru. Tony
I appreciate your insights, Tony. I know that they come from a lifetime of experience and introspection. Namaste.
Dear Svāmi Chityānanda,
Towards the end of your post you mentioned The Five-Minute Journal. I use this journal everyday.
Before, I did not remember what I did during the day. Now, I am able to reflect on the day and on my actions. This journal reminds me daily that everything I experience is a gift.
If one does not keep track of his progress, it is easy to float around here and there. It is easy to lose focus on what is truly important. Like you mentioned, one must remain vigilant!
Thank you for the articles.
Thank you for your nice comment, Megan, and for your feedback on the Five-Minute Journal. I’m so pleased to know that you’re making good use of it. Without conscious awareness, many days, months, and years pass — and we have no idea where the time went. Having just passed a milestone birthday, I’m so grateful that I can look back and know that I’ve spent most of my life on the spiritual path. It has been a satisfying and joyful journey that I hope you too will experience. Namaste.
I feel that a healthy spiritual bank account is very Important. I live half in the world and half out. I see the angst people create for themselves. It’s in the news, in others, and in the mind. I also feel the peace and joy of my fellow students of meditation.
Spiritual exercise gives me the power to not buy into world drama. No king or billionaire has the wealth of one who has a big spiritual account.
Thank you, Modesto. Your comment made me laugh, and then think: How does one live half out of the world? Then I realized you mean that you have a normal life in the world, like the rest of us, but apply your spiritual principles to overcome anxieties that most people suffer through. You are indeed spiritually wealthy if you have like-minded friends and a strong practice. These make a heaven out of any hell. Namaste.
Desire, anger and greed – the sea of samsara. The only way I can overcome these is to follow my Guru’s teachings – that’s what my experience has been. I really appreciate your columns Svami. Love, John
Yes, John, you’re quite right. If you’re fortunate enough to have a Guru, then following the path that he lays out for you is the way to happiness. I’m glad to know that you enjoy the articles on Quiet Karma. Namaste.
It is hard to fill a bucket with water when there is a hole in the bottom. In the same way it is hard to fill the mind with spiritual thoughts if we keep allowing our mind to be occupied with bad thoughts and spending time with bad company. We need to be careful of how we spend our time and mental energy if we want to have a healthy spiritual bank balance.
Thank you, Tim. I couldn’t have said it better myself — great analogy! Namaste.
Dear Svami,
Great post! After reading the first several paragraphs I was hoping that you would include the importance of self effort; you did. Also, some people, who may not “feel spiritual” or even follow a religion, often turn in that direction because they “have had it” with the cruelty of ordinary life. I did.
Thank you for your personal perspective, Richard. There are so many reasons why people turn to the spiritual path. What’s most important is that when someone feels the nudge of the Divine, he takes the hint. There is Grace in the problems of our lives, especially when they make us inquire more deeply into life’s purpose. I’m glad you found your way! Namaste.
“The safest place to store a spiritual bank balance is within a pure mind. Meditating every day and keeping good company purifies the mind. Good works and a positive attitude are the ongoing investments that we make.”
I find this helpful too. Thank you!
Thank you for your comment, Roxie. It’s good to know what’s helpful to you. Namaste.
Dear Svami, This is a great article because tending money wisely is something almost everyone can relate to. As well, the recognition that where one places one’s priority is sure to inform one’s experience. Regarding the quote “There are three gateways to the utter ruin of one’s soul: desire, anger, and greed.– Could these be reduced to just one? preferences. Desire being, a preference for things to be a preferred way…. “my” opinion, “my” beliefs, “my” way. Anger is a preference to assert strength and deny helplessness. Greed is a preference for more. Thanks for another illuminating article.
Thank you for your thoughts and question, Elizabeth. There’s nothing wrong with having a “preference” for something. What becomes a problem is one’s attachment to the preference or desire. If we’re attached to the outcome of a situation, or to acquiring an object, situation, or experience, then we’re going to be affected by that outcome. Attachment eventually leads to problems on the spiritual path because it disrupts our peace of mind. That disruption is caused by anger, greed, etc.
We all have preferences — wouldn’t we rather be warm on a cold day? But if we can’t find warmth and then whine and cry about it, our peace is gone. We can’t meditate or act cheerfully and compassionately towards others. Better to wrap ourselves in the warm blanket of gratitude (for whatever) and know that the sun will come out soon. Cold will pass. Namaste.
Good morning Svāmī Chityanānda. Do good deeds and help fellow man – these traits appeal to me if done selflessly and without ego. I think the best and only true path, when giving, is to expect nothing back in return and make no prerequisites.
I like your list of suggestions to improve ones spiritual bank account. I would add, for my own benefit, ‘quell desires’.
Thank you, James, for pointing out an important spiritual teaching — that we must act selflessly and without ego. The Bhagavad Gita strongly emphasizes this principle. It tells us that actions performed with a motive are binding, they cause more suffering. I’ll be covering the subject of desires in an upcoming post. “Quelling desires” is indeed an important practice to add to your list. Namaste.
Hello Svāmī. In your post, I particularly like these two lines:
“However, spiritual wealth can be affected each moment of your life—by you.”
“The safest place to store a spiritual bank balance is within a pure mind.”
The title of your post suggested you might deal with the mind’s purity. When I think of my own Guru, I see that he was born with a genuine interest in the mind and spiritual matters. I like that I can measure of my own bank balance by examining the purity of my mind, what engages my attention, and how I spend my time. Your ending Do’s and Dont’s list is a succinct and memorable path to a purified mind ✅ Thank you ?
Thank you for your comment, Rob. It looks like you’ve really honed in on the point I was trying to make — that we are responsible for our own spiritual progress. It’s not unusual for people to think that they need something external to boost their practice. Ultimately, it’s our own attitude and actions that make the difference. Namaste.