By: B.K Sona Bahri
Source: The Daily Guardian https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/05/22/e-paper-today-delhi-23-may-2026/
Dated: May 23th, 2026

Those of us on a spiritual journey have set out to improve our lives by improving ourselves. We know that the source of all thoughts, feelings, and emotions is our consciousness. If we want to grow and move forward, then we need to keep checking on our level of consciousness. If we want to try to move ahead with the same level of consciousness we have now – thinking the same thoughts, holding the same beliefs, reacting in the same old way – the only thing that will happen is that we will encounter the same old problems, the same difficulties in relationships, and the same issues. If we want to move ahead and grow, then we must first step up, then step back, and then step ahead – move forward.

Stepping up requires letting go of the ego and being open to the possibility that we do not know everything. We need to have the humility to ask the right questions of the self with an open heart, to change our perspective. How to do that as meditators? By shifting the consciousness from ‘I’ the limited body to ‘I’ the eternal, unlimited soul. The soul is free to see from the perspective of truth. If not, we will continue to see everything through the filter of all that has happened so far in life and the cultural upbringing we have had, that has taught us what is right and what is wrong. I have to raise my consciousness to the level of soul and step up and away from the roles I play and the character traits that go with the roles I am playing. Stepping up is recognising what is right or wrong, which springs from the understanding of what is going on – seeing the whole picture, taking the broadest perspective, and being able to consider everything, not just looking through my own small tunnel vision.

The second prerequisite for stepping ahead is to step back. Transforming our character is not about upskilling – it is about the soul, the self, and transforming the habit patterns I have that are not serving me any more. Things about me that I know are blocking me from being happy and at peace.  Holding up a mirror of truth in front of the self requires a little courage and a willingness to really see. Standing too close to a mirror does not give the full picture, so I need to step back into a place of stillness and silence. To step back from the character I am playing. In this way I can identify what needs to change. Some find this challenging and are afraid of doing things differently, and of being different. Old thought patterns are like a comfort zone that brings a feeling of safety. All souls want to feel safe and secure, but feeling safe in that way leads to spiritual stagnation and does not allow for growth. Each day we should try out something different. Perhaps we feel we need more patience. So, for one month we can practise using patience in the situations we find challenging. The more I do this, stepping up, seeing the truth, applying that truth, then the more I will continue to move up to my most beautiful self. When we step up higher and higher (or deeper and deeper) we are able to see everything more clearly, and see the consequences of our actions, and the thoughts that initiated those actions.

Spiritual movement is all about coming back to the core of the self, the being. Unravelling, unlearning, and reformatting from a place of stillness and power. I will not be pulled into old ways of reacting and responding because I will be reigniting my highest character, the original way I had of being. If I can be that ‘me’, then I will no longer have to step up because I will be in my highest consciousness.

The secret to the success of this transformation is to connect to the highest power of the Divine, the Supreme Being, in meditation. We are all on that journey back to our own perfection, and in meditation we can feel what it will be like to be the very pure, peaceful, still, and powerful being that I truly am. Having that daily glimpse of being my most divine self, shows me that it is possible. I can bring this awareness into my daily life, stepping ahead, step by step, on this wonderful return journey to the true self.

Sona Bahri is a meditation teacher based in Abu Dhabi, and coordinates the activities of the Inner Space Meditation Centre.