Where to start...?

[Stickywhitelovepiss]

I would like to get more into spirituality, but just don't know where to start.

Buddhism? Chakras? Tarot? Kundolini? Ayurvedic stuff? Transcendental meditation? I know the words but not the meanings, and how it all knits together - what belief relates to what...?

I feel I need to research and understand the landscape before just 'plumping for one' path or the other - but struggling to find a good 'beginners guide' out there. Otherwise it feels just too 'pick n mix' for me.

Any hints, tips and guidance gratefully received...

Read The Power Of Now by Eckart Tolle. It should resonate. Then you can begin to unlearn all the learning!
Other sage's to read/listen to/follow that point in the right direction........
Mooji
Adyashanti
Rupert Spira
Francis Lucille
Nisargardatta Maharaj
Ramana Maharshi
Thich Nhat Hanh

I think learning to meditate is important. Developing a daily practice of “letting go” of negativity and opening up and “receiving” a greater guiding energy into your life. Imo this is essentially what prayer is.

Regarding Eckart Tolle, if you want something more immediate than reading the book (although the Power of Now is pretty readable even out of sequence - you can dip in and out) you can watch clips on YouTube of his talks for free.

I would always steer your path, as you explore, asking “Does this way of perceiving feel accepting, loving, encouraging, enlightening, easing, freeing, or does it feel judgemental, confining, condemning, negative, scary, demanding?”. If you do that, you can follow the good stuff and avoid the many cults and conners who need YOU to believe what they believe to justify their existence and/or pay their bills.

I love the Abraham Hicks vids of u tube
They also do books
Maybe start with the secret and Louise Hay

I would recommend you start with the practice of yoga or qigong so that you can get in touch with your body. The theory of energy and energy center's can only get you so far - experiencing it first hand is the only way to go :) Ekhart yoga has wonderful classes and Esther is an amazing teacher. Many free vids on youtube.

If you want to go deeper the philosophy of yoga, ayurveda, chinese medicine etc I think the best thing to do is to start with the 8 limbs of yoga and read some of vasant lads basic ayurveda books. Zen and Daoism are conceptually not so transparent but of course all center in on the same thing eventually.

Think about all the years it takes for us to understand the world in the western rational way - chemistry, maths, economics, geography etc. These philosophies are equally vast and need the same amount of time! Most of the time people criticising them have the same knowledge of these huge subjects as a 4 year old does of human anatomy (0!). Happy to suggest books and answer questions if you'd like.

For reference I'm a trained psychoanalyst and nurse but also devoted to yoga & ayurveda and big time user of chinese herbal medicine if i require!

Lots of love

realise this is a fairly old question but people have started commenting on it.

in my experience people are generally called to a particular spiritual path or practice at some point, it sounds like you haven’t experienced this quite yet.

Forcing spirituality isn’t something that works deep down. Your best place is to start with yourself meditating.

in my opinion discursive mediation is the best way (I’ll add a link)

I would start by focusing on each of the following questions over a period of time during your meditation. You could have a schedule of a daily 10 min meditation

week 1

why do I feel I want to start exploring spirituality?

week 2

what do I hope to get from my spiritual path?

week 3

do I want to follow a solitary spiritual path or be part of a group?

week 4

How do I feel about following a path which might lead to the dissolution of everything I think I know about myself?

Week 5

what changes do I hope I will produce from my spiritual practice

week 6

Do I want to follow a path with concepts familiar to the west or east? (This is a big one, you have only listed eastern spiritual practices - this is common and largely as a result of marketing. The West had some incredible spiritual practices and paths which, because they include concepts and language more familiar in the west often allow individuals to go much deeper into a practice)

Keep a journal of everything that comes up during those meditations.

Then start reading (primarily this will be driven by the answer to your last question) But your spiritual path has to come from within.

Couldnt add a link to orihinal
post

https://www.ecosophia.net/blogs-and-essays/the-well-of-galabes/foundations-of-magical-practice-meditation/