The Journey Back to Oneself and the Path Toward Awakening

If you are reading these lines, perhaps you and I share the same quiet longing: the wish to return to ourselves, to understand who we truly are, and—somewhere deep within—to sense a path leading toward awakening.  I call this a spiritual journey.

When people hear the word spirituality, many immediately associate it with a specific religion, complete with doctrines, rituals, and rules to follow.  But for me, spirituality does not necessarily mean religion.  Rather, it is an inner direction, a way of living and practicing that helps us cultivate compassion and wisdom.  It closely reflects the spirit of the Dalai Lama’s well-known saying: “My religion is kindness.”

In simple terms, spiritual practice is the training of the mind and awareness, so that we may gradually understand suffering, transform it, and touch genuine happiness.  From a Buddhist perspective, this path is not based on blind belief, but on direct experience and personal practice.

Spiritual practice can take many forms: meditation, mindfulness in daily life, yoga, prayer, or simply learning to pause and observe oneself.  Whatever form it takes, its essence revolves around four fundamental qualities:

• Mindfulness: Living fully in the present moment, clearly aware of what is happening in our body and mind, without judgment or avoidance.
• Compassion: Cultivating kindness and empathy, learning to care for ourselves and for others, and wishing to alleviate suffering for all beings.
• Wisdom: Seeing deeply into the true nature of reality—impermanence, suffering, and non-self.
• Ethical living: Leading a life that does not harm ourselves or others, creating a stable and peaceful foundation for the mind.

Ironically, in an age where science and technology have reached unprecedented heights, human beings often feel more lost and distressed than ever.  We become swept away by the glitter and noise of society, forgetting to turn inward and reconnect with ourselves.

There is a story that may sound humorous at first, yet carries profound meaning:

A man works diligently every day as a rickshaw driver. Someone asks him:
“Why do you drive a rickshaw?”
“To earn money.”
“Why earn money?”
“To eat.”
“Why eat?”
“To live.”
“And after living, what do you do?”
“I drive the rickshaw again.”

This cycle repeats endlessly.  If we never pause to ask, “What am I truly living for?”, our entire life may pass within such a loop, until the very end.

From a practical perspective, spiritual practice offers many tangible benefits in modern life.  One of the most evident is the reduction of stress and anxiety.  Meditation and contemplative practices have been scientifically shown to calm the nervous system, stabilize heart rate and blood pressure, and help us return to a state of inner ease.

More importantly, spiritual practice enhances self-awareness.  By understanding our thoughts, emotions, and habitual reactions, we gradually learn to accept ourselves instead of constantly fighting or judging who we are.  From this acceptance, inner peace and self-compassion naturally arise.

Meditation and mindfulness also strengthen concentration.  As the mind is trained to stay with the breath or a chosen object of awareness, it becomes less scattered and less dominated by restless thinking.  This clarity not only improves work performance but also helps us make wiser decisions and respond more creatively to life’s challenges.

Another fruit of spiritual practice is the development of compassion and healthier relationships.  When we understand our own suffering, we become more capable of understanding the suffering of others.  Instead of reacting with judgment or resistance, we learn to listen and empathize.  As a result, our relationships grow more genuine, stable, and meaningful.

Ultimately, perhaps the greatest gift of a spiritual journey is the discovery of meaning and purpose in life.  This meaning is not something to be found outside ourselves, but something revealed from within.  When we live with awareness and clarity—knowing where we are going and why—even life’s uncertainties and difficulties no longer leave us without refuge.

The journey back to oneself is quiet and unassuming.  It does not seek attention or recognition.  It begins very simply: with a mindful breath, a moment of stillness, and a sincere question asked inwardly.  And perhaps, that is the very first doorway on the path toward awakening.