by C. Li

Created on: June 30, 2007

I can relate to spiritual burnout because I've practice meditation for years and have gone through a number of stages of development. Through meditation I have learned a lot about myself and the world around me. To start, I will tackle the definition spiritual burnout. My definition of spiritual burnout is the state of either being tired of doing a set spiritual practices- meditation, prayer, attending church etc. - or losing faith- in God, in people, in religion, in destiny, in the process of life. Perhaps the two definitions can be interrelated.

In my experiences with meditation there are days when I look forward to the practice and attain clarity from my practice. I feel more at peace with myself during these meditation sessions, and more energized. Other days meditating can be a drag. For example, at times I would rather watch a favorite television show or go straight to bed after going out. Also, if I failed an exam or am in a bad mood meditating is the last thing I want to do. However, all in all I try to make it a habit and at times when my practice is consistent I feel guilty for not practicing. However, there have been times when I have grown completely sick of meditating and have even wanted to quit. After all, meditating requires a lot of time (30-40 minutes a day technically is not as time consuming as watching three sitcoms in a row) and is very rigorous mentally. I feel meditation is more challenging than reading three chapters from a textbook or running two miles. Also, meditation is extremely difficult because it forces you to face your own shortcomings. I have gone years at a time without meditation, and I can only say fate in time will bring a person back to their spiritual practice. The suffering I endured outside of my spiritual practice are more the reason for me to practice even more steadfastly. Daily practice is like bathing one's spirit regularly. Spiritual practices are usually free (at least training by yourself, sometimes learning too) and can create more clarity and order in anyone's life.

The second spiritual burnout is losing faith in in God, in people, in religion, in destiny, and/or in the process of life. I feel this happens to most people and oftentimes it leads to years of suffering. This is usually triggered by a single event or a series of events such as: an abusive relationship, a death of a spouse, losing one's job, disease etc. Some people suffer for the rest of their lives and some people regain their faith and acquire wisdom from their suffering. So how can the difference be explained? I believe some people choose to work through their spiritual suffering while others choose to become stuck- ie.- alcohol, drugs, self-destructive behavior, neuroticisms, and other addictions. I am sure everyone knows someone who is perpetually dying inside and chooses to stay that way. Spiritual burnout can sometimes be a blessing because all that hurt and pain can lead to wisdom that may later help another person. I am not a Christian, but I do know the story of Job in the Bible in which God allowed the Devil to test Job's faith by stripping him of his money and family. In the end Job regained his faith in God's will and later a new family and job. I, myself, have endured pain from other people and also from negative thinking. There were 2-3 times in my life where I have completely lost faith in other people and also myself. Slowly I've learned that being enclosed in one's callous life is not the life to live, and one must trust in life- despite the possibilities of being hurt again, and trust in the process of life in order to grow and be alive.

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