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Posted on by Pinkii Bakshi

Awakening to the Bigger Picture: A Spiritual Quest

Top post on Blogchatter

I was preparing for the WBCS (West Bengal Civil Service) exam in 2014. The preparation itself ensured tremendous personal and intellectual growth but something that my mentor said actually shaped my future path.

He encouraged his students to practice yoga and meditation to build physical and mental strength and develop inner calmness. He also introduced us to the power of the subconscious mind.

He often asked, “Are you here on this planet just to get a job, work, reproduce, and remain trapped in this vicious cycle till you die? Even animals do this. So, how are humans different?”

And we would answer,” We are Intellectual beings”. He would smirk and say, “Then use it to make your life a bigger picture.”

I may not have succeeded in making my life big by worldly standards, nor I could become a civil servant, but his words drew me toward yoga and spiritualism. Maybe life had other plans for me. By that time, I had lots of questions I was filled with curiosity and an endless stream of questions, so my quest led me to the Sivananda Ashram in Kerala. Choosing this ashram was purely by chance. While searching for something on Google, I stumbled upon their page. As I explored their website, I instantly felt a strong pull—I knew I had to go there

At the entrance of Sivananda Dhanwantri Ashram, Kerala

I spent a month there, fully immersing myself in the ashram lifestyle. My days were a blend of yoga sessions, Bhagavad Gita and philosophy classes, and Karma Yoga—working in service to the ashram.

The place was alive and buzzed with diverse perspectives as people from all over the world shared their thoughts. Philosophical discussions were so engaging that time seemed to dissolve.

In that serene environment, I learned that yoga is more than just asanas. It is a profound union with the Parabrahm, the Supreme Consciousness. Every posture, every breath, prepares the body and mind for this deeper connection.

This transformative experience gradually revealed the answer to a question that gnawed at me all the time:

How can I make this life as a human worthwhile?

What Does It Mean to Live a Spiritual Life?

When I was in the ashram, our teacher often said, “It is very easy to stay calm, meditate, and be patient here because of the serene environment. But once you return to your daily lives, the real challenge begins. That’s when you must apply your learnings and stay grounded amidst the chaos of Maya (the illusion of worldly attachments).”

Living a spiritual life doesn’t mean renouncing pleasures or avoiding joy. It means experiencing life consciously, without being controlled by desires. It’s about staying balanced, mindful, and connected to a higher purpose.

5 Pillars of Spiritual Life:

  • Inner Growth: Through self-awareness and introspection
  • Mindfullness: By cultivating gratitide and a calm mind
  • Self-discipline: Being consistent in habits and routines
  • Compassion & Service: Act with kindness and empathy; Serve all
  • Resilience: Be flexible and adapt to challenges

The Legacy I Wish to Leave Behind

I wish people were motivated to search for their purpose and live spiritually. Life is not about avoiding pleasure but about mastering it—remain the controller of life, not a slave to fleeting desires.

I may not have mastered it yet, but this is a gradual process, and we all are on our own path to progress. Life is a quest for purpose, balance, and connection with the Higher Self. Let us live intentionally and spiritually, knowing that each moment is an opportunity to learn, evolve, and find peace.

PS1: This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop

PS2: This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

34 Replies to “Awakening to the Bigger Picture: A Spiritual Quest”

  1. Wow, your journey is truly inspiring! It’s amazing how your mentor’s words during WBCS prep led you to explore yoga and spirituality. Spending a month at the Sivananda Ashram in Kerala sounds transformative, especially immersing in yoga sessions, Bhagavad Gita classes, and Karma Yoga. Your insights on living a spiritual life resonate deeply—it’s not about renouncing pleasures but experiencing life consciously and staying balanced amidst the chaos. The five pillars you mentioned—inner growth, mindfulness, self-discipline, compassion, and resilience—offer a practical guide for anyone on a spiritual quest. Your emphasis on mastering life’s pleasures rather than avoiding them is a refreshing perspective. Thank you for sharing your profound experiences and reflections; they’ve given me much to ponder on my own path.

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  2. I dont know weather I am a spiritual person or not but I believe in it more over being religious. Pleasure is a part of life and that what as per me makes us take a confident step towards creating a legacy to gift to our offsprings. All That I believe that legacy should be useful for my offspring and he should make use of it in his way for crafting a better and meaningful future for him and his present and future family too.

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  4. I agree with you Pinkii, Yoga is just not a set of poses or breathing, it is a way of life.It is discipline and pushing yourself physically as well as spiritually.Thanks for introducing to this beautiful Ashram. Just looking at the picture gave me a sense of calm and peace.
    I would appreciate another post that tells us how can one join the ashram, what are the pre-conditions etc.

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  5. True, life isn’t about being a slave to situations and falling down. It’s about rising to every new day. The stronger the inside, the more beautiful the outside. Material success is also dependent on spiritual success.

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  6. First of all, congratulations for Top Blog. The spirutal quest, I feel is a never-ending journey. The journey itself is a learning experience and there is no end to learning, is there? I am not fanatic about religion but I have grown spiritually down the years. I am calm, mindful, disciplined and have a hold on my desires. I believe that our life experiences play a big role in tuning our spirituality. All the best for your journey.

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    1. Thank you so much. True, I don’t know if I will ever reach the destination in this lifetime but the journey itself bears so much fruit that I am going to enjoy that while trying to live a conscious life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here!

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  7. So often, we get caught up in the small details of life and forget to see the larger journey. Your reflections offer a beautiful perspective on spirituality. Not many people would get the idea of awakening to a bigger picture but I guess that would only come with certain experiences, right? Your insights though, would surely encourage deep reflection. It’s amazing how shifting our perspective can lead to greater clarity and peace.

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  8. The pillars you mentioned in the post nicely demystify the spirituality. Many times, people misunderstood spirituality with religiousness. They distinctly are two different things. You have explained spirituality quite well.

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    2. The legacy – beautiful take on the theme. I am completely agree with you. Yoga is for inner growth and breathing makes you calm. The pillars you described are the real truth of life which everyone should understand.

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  9. Completely agree, Pinkii. Yoga isn’t just about poses and breathing, it’s a way of life that fosters discipline and strengthens both body and spirit. This Ashram looks truly peaceful—just the picture itself brings a sense of calm. Good luck for your future journey.

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  10. I completely agree with you on the eternal quest to evolve oneself . It is not a one day journey nor something that we can wake up to say, we are evolved. I love your honesty and that is what is great about this blog

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  11. Yoga has helped me at times when I felt anxious and lost. I still can’t meditate properly but spirituality is something that can be achieved through constant practice and focus. It’s great to see you enjoy your time at the ashram. Must be something!

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  12. This resonates deeply! The journey from exam prep to spiritual discovery is truly inspiring. Yoga and mindfulness change perspectives in ways we never expect. Your mentor’s words are profound—life is indeed more than a checklist. Keep sharing your wisdom!

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  13. Indeed a teacher sometimes has enough influence to shape a person’s life. I loved what your teacher said and how you took his words and shaped a path for yourself and found your calling.

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    1. Glad to know that it resonated with you. Yes, even i have been wanting to visit again but after motherhood it’s tuff. But may be in future some day. In fact they have Kids campaign and yoga vacation too! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

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  15. true Pinki, At some point in life, we must pause and ask ourselves, “what are we actually doing?” Reading our post was good eye opener. There’s indeed more to life beyond earning money.

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