When we think of a doctor, the image of a person with a lab coat and stethoscope comes to mind. Or take a scientist; the image is of a person lost among test tubes in a lab. The stereotype of a person on a spiritual path is that of a peaceful person with maybe a halo around their head. But spiritual people are just like you and me, the only difference being their passion toward finding happiness. So here's disentangling some of the myths and misunderstandings about a spiritual person.

There is a difference between spirituality and morality. While moral values dictate terms for a disciplined life, spirituality defines the way to live life. It shows how to live a happy life and make the most of our time on this planet. Drinking or swearing does not make you any less spiritual but may fall short of the moral code set by people.

The misconception about people on a spiritual path is that they do not take joy in small pleasures, that frivolity and having fun is not something they enjoy, or that their life is about silence and a sense of self-control. This is in fact the opposite to how true spiritual people are. They are open, free, and enjoy even the smallest of joys like having a cone of ice cream.

People believe that on the path of spirituality, there is no attachment to people and their possessions, and that their emotions towards their house burning down or a wedding of a close one are neutral as they are supposed to be detached from them. In fact, spiritual people take active interest in the lives of their loved ones and are part of their joys and sorrows. They en every emotion and do not go emotionally overboard.

It is assumed that spiritual people need to live a simple life with no luxury because a poorer way of life is traditionally equated with being highly spiritual. But the cornerstones of spirituality include the feeling of abundance and prosperity. Others believe that spiritual people look down upon earning money, and this has led to setting low goals for success and wealth creation. This does not imply that greediness is acceptable. A spiritual person is one who can live a luxurious life or a spartan life but remains the same at his or her core.

They are supposed to be perennially in a state of calm with nothing affecting them. Fear, anxiety and stress are said to be non-existent in their life and that their life is a bed of roses. This is completely untrue as life throws the same experiences of happiness, pain, joy, loss and love towards everyone, it is the ability to deal with them that sets people apart. Spiritual people are often seen as happy people as they have learnt the art of living life, that is to accept whatever comes their way and experience every emotion to the fullest. Adi Shankaracharya, the greatest of philosophers and a monk too shed a tear when he lost his mother.

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Demystifying the spiritual person - Daily News & Analysis