Sadhguru says true spirituality isn't shaped by the environment around you but by the inner state, you cultivate within yourself. It's about building your own sanctuary from within. Keep nurturing that internal space!
Article | November 23, 1986
In a world where the pursuit of spirituality is often associated with certain external conditions, from tranquil settings to serene locations, there remains a profound truth that spirituality is not defined by the atmosphere you live in. Rather, it is a reflection of the atmosphere you create within yourself. This concept challenges conventional understandings of spirituality, urging us to look inward rather than outward for our spiritual growth.
To explore this idea in depth, we must journey through the meanings of spirituality, the role of external environments in human perception, and the transformative power of cultivating inner harmony. By the end, we will understand that true spirituality lies not in altering our surroundings but in transforming the inner landscape of our consciousness.
True peace is not found in quiet surroundings but in a quiet mind.
The True Nature of Spirituality: Beyond Externalities
When we think of spiritual practices, we often imagine certain external factors—sacred spaces like temples or monasteries, peaceful locations in the mountains or by rivers, or even homes filled with incense and symbols of divinity. These spaces can indeed contribute to an experience of calm and reflection, but they do not define spirituality. At its core, spirituality is not tied to a particular location, ritual, or object. It is a state of being that can exist regardless of one's surroundings.
Spirituality refers to a deep connection with the essence of life, with the inner self, and with a greater sense of purpose or the divine. It is about recognizing and embodying the interconnectedness of all things and cultivating an awareness that transcends the mind's limitations. This awareness can flourish in any setting—whether amidst the chaos of a bustling city, the quietude of a forest, or the simplicity of an ordinary home.
The only atmosphere that matters is the one you create within.
Throughout history, mystics, sages, and enlightened beings have stressed that spirituality is an inward journey. Whether living as ascetics in remote areas or as householders in everyday society, they taught that the path to spiritual awakening lies within. Saints like Kabir, Guru Nanak, and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa lived and practised spirituality amidst the most ordinary or sometimes tumultuous surroundings. Their examples remind us that spirituality is not about escaping the world but about creating a state of inner equanimity that remains unshaken by the world.
The Myth of the Perfect Atmosphere for Spiritual Growth
The belief that spirituality requires a particular kind of environment is deeply ingrained in human culture. Many people assume that to find spiritual peace, they need to retreat to a monastery, go on pilgrimages, or live in isolated places far from the distractions of daily life. While such places may indeed offer a conducive setting for contemplation and reflection, they are not prerequisites for spiritual development.
Spirituality is not about escaping the world; it's about transforming your inner world.
This misconception arises from the mind’s tendency to externalize solutions to internal challenges. We often seek comfort in external things—a peaceful environment, beautiful surroundings, or calming music—believing that these will bring us closer to spiritual enlightenment. However, this approach can be a trap. By relying on external conditions for inner peace, we become dependent on them, and when those conditions change, our sense of tranquillity crumbles.
Spirituality is about transcending such dependencies. It teaches us that true peace and inner stillness are not conditional upon the environment. If spiritual growth were tied to perfect conditions, only those who live in pristine environments would attain enlightenment. Yet, history is filled with examples of individuals who found enlightenment amidst the most challenging circumstances—prisoners, warriors, and ordinary people living amid life’s chaos. What they shared in common was not their external atmosphere but their ability to create an atmosphere of inner peace and awareness within themselves.
You don’t need perfect conditions to grow spiritually; you just need a willing heart.
The Inner Atmosphere: Creating a Spiritual Sanctuary Within
The key to spiritual awakening lies in the atmosphere we create within ourselves. Just as the external environment can be cultivated—through cleaning, organizing, and beautifying our surroundings—our inner environment requires conscious cultivation.
1. Cultivating Mindfulness and Presence
One of the foundational practices for creating a spiritual inner atmosphere is mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, and aware of one's thoughts, emotions, and surroundings without judgment. By developing mindfulness, we learn to observe the mind's patterns and begin to detach from the constant stream of thoughts that often cloud our awareness.
Through mindfulness, we come to realize that our thoughts and emotions are not fixed realities but transient experiences. They arise and pass, much like clouds in the sky. By recognizing their impermanence, we stop identifying with them so strongly, which creates a space of stillness and calm within.
The greatest sanctuary is the one you build inside yourself.
Presence is the essence of spiritual life. When we are present, we are not lost in regrets about the past or anxieties about the future. Instead, we are fully engaged with the richness of the current moment. This presence allows us to experience life directly, without the filters of judgment, expectation, or fear. In this state of presence, the mind becomes quiet, and the heart opens to deeper truths about existence.
2. Emotional Cleansing and Healing
Another important aspect of cultivating an inner spiritual atmosphere is emotional cleansing. Just as physical clutter can overwhelm us in our homes, emotional clutter can weigh us down internally. Anger, resentment, fear, and grief are emotional residues that, if left unchecked, can create a toxic inner environment.
Emotional healing begins with acknowledging and accepting our emotions, rather than suppressing them. It involves creating space for them to be felt, understood, and then released. Practices such as meditation, breathwork, journaling, and therapy can help in this process. When we allow ourselves to feel and process our emotions, we free up inner energy and create a more harmonious inner atmosphere.
Wherever you go, your peace follows—if it’s rooted in your soul.
An emotionally balanced inner world radiates peace. When we are no longer caught in the grip of unresolved emotions, we can respond to life’s challenges with greater wisdom and compassion. This emotional clarity supports our spiritual growth by removing the inner barriers that keep us from experiencing our true nature.
3. Aligning with Higher Values
At the heart of spirituality is the alignment with higher values—love, compassion, kindness, truth, and integrity. These values are like the pillars of the inner atmosphere we create. When we consciously live by these values, we build an inner environment that supports spiritual growth.
Living by higher values means making choices that are not driven by egoic desires or societal pressures but by the wisdom of the heart. It means acting from a place of love rather than fear, responding to others with compassion rather than judgment, and seeking truth rather than comfort. Each time we align our actions with these values, we strengthen the foundation of our inner spiritual sanctuary.
The environment you seek is already within you—unlock it.
Aligning with higher values also includes practising gratitude. Gratitude shifts our focus from what is lacking to what is abundant in our lives. It opens the heart and connects us to the present moment, creating an inner atmosphere of joy and contentment. When we are grateful, we are attuned to the deeper beauty of life, which is a hallmark of spiritual awareness.
4. Meditation and Inner Silence
Meditation is one of the most powerful tools for cultivating an inner spiritual atmosphere. Through meditation, we connect with the silence within us—a silence that is always present, beneath the noise of thoughts and emotions. This inner silence is the doorway to spiritual realization.
Meditation allows us to observe the mind’s activity without getting entangled in it. Over time, we become less reactive to external stimuli, and the mind begins to settle into a state of calm. In this calm, we experience the stillness of our true nature, which is untouched by the external world.
A calm mind is more powerful than the stormiest external chaos.
As we deepen our meditation practice, we begin to realize that this inner stillness is not separate from the world but is the very foundation of all existence. This realization shifts our relationship with the external environment. We no longer seek peace outside of ourselves because we recognize that peace is our natural state.
Meditation also helps us cultivate inner clarity. It brings to light the unconscious patterns and beliefs that shape our thoughts and actions. By becoming aware of these patterns, we can release them and create a more expansive and harmonious inner atmosphere.
5. Inner Devotion and Surrender
Another essential aspect of creating a spiritual inner atmosphere is devotion. Devotion is the expression of love and surrender to a higher power or the divine. It is the recognition that there is a greater intelligence guiding the universe and that we are a part of this divine plan.
Devotion can take many forms—prayer, chanting, offering, or simply dedicating one’s actions to the greater good. Through devotion, we shift our focus from the limited self to the infinite, from the personal to the universal. This shift in focus creates an atmosphere of humility, reverence, and awe within us.
External peace is fleeting; inner peace is eternal.
Surrender is the culmination of devotion. It is the act of letting go of the need to control or manipulate life and instead trusting in the flow of existence. When we surrender, we allow life to unfold as it will, without resistance. This surrender creates an inner atmosphere of peace and acceptance, which is the hallmark of spiritual maturity.
Overcoming External Influences on Spirituality
While it is true that external environments can influence our mood and mindset, it is important to recognize that we always have the power to choose how we respond to these influences. The essence of spirituality is learning to remain centred and peaceful, regardless of the conditions around us.
This does not mean that we should neglect our surroundings or remain in toxic environments. On the contrary, we should strive to create external conditions that support our well-being. However, we must remember that true spiritual strength lies in our ability to maintain inner peace even when the external environment is less than ideal.
Life is unpredictable, and we will inevitably encounter challenges, disruptions, and difficulties in our environment. In such times, the atmosphere we create within ourselves becomes our refuge. It becomes a sanctuary of peace, wisdom, and strength that we can rely on no matter what happens around us.
Transform your inner world, and the outer world will never hold you captive.
Spirituality as an Inner Journey
Ultimately, spirituality is an inward journey. It is not dependent on external factors, nor is it something that can be attained by simply altering our environment. True spirituality arises from the conscious cultivation of an inner atmosphere—a space of mindfulness, emotional clarity, higher values, meditation, devotion, and surrender.
As we deepen our spiritual practice and create a harmonious inner environment, we realize that peace, joy, and fulfilment are not things we need to seek outside of ourselves. They are the natural qualities of our being, waiting to be uncovered through the process of inner transformation.
In this light, the atmosphere we live in becomes less significant. Whether we are surrounded by noise or silence, beauty or chaos, our spiritual growth is determined by the inner atmosphere we create. It is this inner atmosphere that shapes our experience of life, and it is through this inner atmosphere that we come to know the true essence of spirituality.
