Bliss, Bells & Whistles, Oh My! Chasing Highs Blocks the Everyday Mystic

We’ve all seen the picturesque, peaceful yogi, sitting calmly in silent meditation, dressed in purity, eyes closed, legs crossed, thumb and index fingers touching, palms open toward the heavens, claiming ecstasy, nirvana, and eternal bliss pulsing through every fiber of their being. It seems so angelic, peaceful, and perfect.

I’d love to see these same yogis maintain ecstatic bliss while chasing after five young kids, throwing endless tantrums, snot flying everywhere, screaming, making you prematurely deaf, and waking up every hour on the hour in total exhaustion. That blissful ecstasy would quickly dissolve into swallowing sleeping pills, dependence on early-morning espresso, and slugging back wine for sanity! You know what I’m talking about.

Having a euphoric experience is amazing, but is it truly what we’re looking for? Are we truly craving bliss, bells, and whistles 24/7? If so, there are plenty of recreational drugs you can use to stay in that state of escapism.

Riding Life’s Choppy Waves

The reality is, life happens! We all experience ups and downs, riding choppy waves—thriving on the crests and crashing in the valleys we barely see coming. Some moments are filled with laughter, endless joy, and total fulfillment. Then there are moments so horrific, we can’t bear the thought of getting up in the morning.

If life is one unknown after another, how do we connect with the inner peace, joy, and laughter we all know is there? Are we too focused on the yogi perched on the mountaintop of bliss, thinking we can’t find peace in the storms?

The Ego’s Trap of Perfection

The truth is, clinging to expectations of what spirituality should or shouldn’t be blinds us to what’s available right now. Creating images of perfection and permanent states of nirvana as enlightenment can be an endless trap of illusion crafted by the ego. What a clever trickster it is!

Seeking the picture of perfection in your mind can lead to disappointment and feelings of failure when it doesn’t happen. When you recognize the images of spiritual purity your mind projects, it’s time to question if those are real or made-up stories preventing you from going within to the eternal stillness that always awaits.

Does Spirituality Need a Certain Form?

Have you ever asked yourself, “Does my spiritual connection have anything to do with form? Does it need to look a certain way? Or is it something else entirely?”

We put so much emphasis on what our reality looks like and feels like—and how we desire it to look—that it’s utterly exhausting. Are we missing something? Maybe what we really seek is so simple that we don’t even see it because we overcomplicate everything. We’re too focused on the exterior; we’re immune to the rich interior life.

Everyday Chaos as Sacred Opportunity

Chasing young children, changing diapers, and scrubbing the surprise mold built up in the plastic sippy cup can all be opportunities to go within. Why not? Running on empty isn’t working. You’re tired, feeling like there’s nothing supporting you, but there is!

No matter what you’re doing—picking up toys, attending another useless meeting, or standing in line at the post office (by the way, why is only one person working every time you’re there?)—moving inward, closing your eyes for a few moments, breathing deeply, exhaling slowly, and feeling the vibrance beneath the body is always an option. All it takes is curiosity, a willingness to learn, awareness, and regular practice.

Answering the Eternal Call Within

Building a connection with your inner spirit is the connection you’re seeking. Nothing on the outside is a guarantee, is it? However, the spirit within is eternal. It never leaves you. It constantly calls, but very few of us ever answer the phone.

It’s time to answer the phone. Create a daily practice that’s easy, simple, and takes just a few minutes. There’s no need to start with hours of deep connection, especially if this is new to you. Start small, but be consistent. Write down a little reminder, “Connect with Spirit Radio” or whatever title you want to name it—just make sure you do it.

As you practice connecting within and continue living your life, it will become as effortless as the yogi who meditates for hours on end, without the distractions of a family or a job. Accessing peace during life’s endless chaos is your foundation for mystical life. 

Keeping one foot firmly planted on the ground and one foot in the spiritual is the bridge you’ll continue to balance as you ride the waves. Except now, instead of clinging to bliss and ecstasy, joining with the still, quiet center is all you need.

TAKE ACTION: Chasing bliss and temporary highs robs you of what’s already available. Dropping perfectionist images opens the door to another way of life. Ready to unravel illusions and shift perspective? Grab my free Busting the Bliss Myth: 5 Shifts That Actually Wake You Up and visit Lindsay’s website—your first step to peaceful living.