The above question may confront practicing spiritualists, given that we live in a professional world that is largely materialistic. In dealing with this mismatch of values, our reactions may veer to two extremes: secretive or descriptive. 

Secretive: Fearing that people may disapprove or deride or even demonize our practices, we may decide to hide those practices from others. But this may well lead to us living in fear about being discovered (“caught”), as if we are doing something wrong. And if our spiritual practices are a significant part of our life, our secretiveness may even lead others to suspect that we are into something fishy. 

Prescriptive: We may judge that spiritually bankrupt people are degraded and decide to act as their saviors. Accordingly, we may expect or even demand that they change their lifestyle to conform with our spiritual values. Such actions may alienate or even antagonize them: “Who do you think you are to tell me how to live my life?” Even if we believe that we have been granted the authority to instruct others by our tradition, they haven’t accepted that source of authority — hence their perception of us as presumptuous or even self-righteous. 

Thankfully, we can choose a balance that lies between these two extremes. 

Descriptive: Herein, we speak about our spiritual practices not for instructing others, but for informing them. We objectively outline what we do and rationally explain why we do it. This way, we open for them the door to spiritual exploration instead of hiding behind that door or pulling them through the door. Thus, we can avoid the disruption that our secretiveness or prescriptiveness may cause to us or to others or to both.  In fact, the Bhagavad-gita (12.15) commends such undisturbed and undisturbing spiritualists.

One-sentence summary:

Don’t be secretive or prescriptive about our spiritual practices; be descriptive and avoid being disruptive.

Think it over:

  • What is the problem with being secretive about our spiritual practices? 
  • What is the problem with being prescriptive about our spiritual practices? 
  • How is being descriptive the balance between being secretive and being prescriptive? 

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12.15: He by whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not disturbed by anyone, who is equipoised in happiness and distress, fear and anxiety, is very dear to Me.

Should we speak about our spiritual practices with our colleagues?

To know more about this verse, please click on the image