Analyzing the Spirituality Research

Transpersonal Development Map

Spiritual Development

The Book of Genesis highlights a dream of Jacob -- one among Judaism's patriarchs -- wherein he witnessed angels descending and ascending upon a ladder going from the earth to the heavens. Spiritual progress may be perceived as taking multiple directions, rendering ranking and comparison of different states of progress pointless (Ferrer, 2009).

Theory of Creation Spirituality

Mathew Fox, who was previously a Dominican priest, presented a theory. The assumption in his theory, known as the "creation spirituality" theory is that the notion of spirituality in Judeo-Christianity, framed when our Earth was thought to be the universe's center, failed to keep pace with science, when it proved the fact that far from being the entire universe's focal point, the Earth was merely one small fragment of a vast universe. The theory he propounded indicates that divinity may be achieved from any deed of creation, right from an atom on Earth to the universe's far reaches and all else that lies in between (Seaward, 2013).

Integrative-Philosophical Model of Spiritual Development

One among the first researchers to explore different traditions and offer a consolidated spiritual progress system was Underhill (1911/1961), who suggested that there are five stages leading up to spirituality's final goal -- the union of one's soul with the Absolute or the Lord. These stages begin with "awakening," wherein a person gains awareness of spirituality. The subsequent stages are "purgation," wherein he/she strives to get rid of personal imperfections; and "illumination," which is commonly mistaken for being the final stage, since it is associated with a peek at "transcendence." But extraordinary mystics experience further stages of spirituality, the fourth of which was labeled as 'the soul's dark night' by Saint John of the Cross, wherein they experience a deep feeling of desertion by the Lord. Following this, if they surrender to His will, they reach the last stage where the 'self' is completely lost, and the being permanently becomes one with the Lord.

The following four-point plan can be followed in order to gain spiritual development:

1. Pray. Let your relationship with God improve. Discuss your life with him and give him time. Vent your feelings. Show him your appraisal for his blessings. Show your gratitude. Involve him in all aspects of your life.

2. Study. Let God speak to you as a part of this relationship. It takes time for God to enter into your life. Be patient. Don't let the cares of this life make you unfaithful. Don't let your heart harden. Get your thoughts fixed on Jesus. Be hard working and be mature. Make more time for God if you love him.

3. Unity. We cannot grow spiritually if we are isolated from each other. We grow better when we are in a community. We grow for the sake of others. Encourage each other. Support each other. The blessings that God has given, use them for others. You get spiritual development by doing this. Our mentor, Jesus, set an example for us.

4. Worship. Our greatest need and obligation is to worship God. To fall before him in humbleness, surrendering in front of him and obeying him. God is praised by us for all that he is. He is worthy of all. The more we realize his greatness and our weaknesses, the better we rely on him for our spiritual development (Grace Communication International, 2015).

Metaphors of Spiritual Development

The 'metaphors for spiritual growth' in the Essential Spirituality text stimulate the spiritual development. One can apply these to his/her life and gain spiritual development and healing. These metaphors are (Walsh, 2000):

Awakening

Enlightenment

Uncovering

Freedom

Metamorphosis

Unfolding

Wholeness

Journey

death

rebirth

It is also important to understand the obstacles to spiritual progress. These may be macro-social (for instance, pressures stemming from laws and other such collective structures) micro-social (for instance, conformity pressures arising due to other people), or individual. Trungpa's (1973) definition of "spiritual materialism" is a quest for enlightenment, guided by one's ego. Plainly, this entire topic is one associated with possible rewards and great trials; further, if one doesn't achieve integration, the costs may be high.