The Cross of Spontaneity: The Synergy of Sacred and Compassionate Action

Personal and Societal Perception

Being raised in a community that encompassed all the Abrahamic religions, within a region often regarded as one of the most violent in the world, shaped my early view of life. However, my family was not indoctrinated by the beliefs surrounding us, and this allowed my first glimpse of awareness to be one of wonder, not certainty. As a child, I was exposed to countless stories and philosophies, all attempting to mold and control, as if living without a rigid ideology was inconceivable.

I observed two distinct groups in my environment. The first was intensely goal-oriented and fixated on doership—individuals driven by relentless achievement in business, education, and social and political status. For them, life was defined by setting ambitious targets and tirelessly striving to reach them, often measuring their worth by their accomplishments and external recognition. Their focus on results created a competitive atmosphere where success was paramount, and anything less was deemed a failure.

The second group, more introverted, were seekers who accepted the ideologies imposed upon them. They pursued the noble aim of religion, yet were often disconnected from the realities of life. While their idealism painted a picture of ambitious aspirations, it often lacked grounding in real-world experience. Beneath this facade, they wrestled with profound inner turmoil, battling demons of doubt and fear that only the divine could truly fathom.

These two groups represent the horizontal and vertical dimensions of life.

In the horizontal dimension, people seek fulfillment through acquisition and control. Their focus is on external growth, driven by the desire for more—more success, more status, more possessions. They are largely unaware that their fulfillment is fleeting, and they chase illusions of accumulation, mistaking this for progress or meaning.

In the vertical dimension, people, though equally unaware, turn to idealism. They attempt to reach the heights that prophets or spiritual figures have attained, but only through the lens of their imagination and belief systems. Instead of engaging with life organically as it unfolds in the present, they detach from reality, distancing themselves from society and the direct experience of life. Their pursuit of spirituality becomes an abstraction, divorced from the here and now, where real growth and understanding take place.

Both groups, whether seeking fulfillment in the material world or through spiritual ideals, are caught in cycles of unawareness. The horizontal dimension clings to external progress, while the vertical dimension clings to ideals and beliefs. Neither is fully rooted in the immediate, lived experience of life as it is.

The Pitfall of Going to Extremes:

The pitfall of going to extremes is a common trap for the mind. Whether it’s overindulging in external pursuits or becoming overly idealistic in spiritual matters, both lead us away from balance. In chasing one extreme, we either lose ourselves in material ambitions or create a distorted version of spirituality that exists only in imagination. Without moderation and grounding, these extremes pull us further from the truth and disconnect us from the organic intelligence that resides within us.

For extreme introverts, there is an urgency to be vulnerable and interact with their community, as these relationships serve as mirrors that reflect the hidden knots beneath the illusions they hold. Jiddu Krishnamurti emphasized the significance of relationships as reflections of our inner selves, stating, “Only in relationship can you know yourself, not in abstraction and certainly not in isolation.” He also highlighted that conflict in relationships can be a powerful teacher, asserting, “Conflict is essential for self-understanding. When you are in conflict, you begin to see yourself.” This notion underscores the transformative potential found in engaging with others and confronting the tensions that arise.

Conversely, for extreme extroverts, it is essential to return to their center, drawing from the wellspring of inner intelligence to gain clarity and strength for the journey ahead. Once grounded, they can embark on a path that transcends mere goal orientation, discovering joy in selfless service, as exemplified by saints like Mother Teresa. Without this grounding, they risk becoming like cancerous cells. As Edward Abbey noted, “Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.”

Contemplating the Meaning of the Symbol of the Cross: A Holistic Approach to Life

Symbols, even the simplest ones, encapsulate profound philosophies and universal truths. As Leonardo da Vinci stated, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” highlighting that true elegance lies in clarity. The cross, for instance, symbolizes the balance between the divine and the human, representing both spiritual contemplation and compassionate action. This powerful symbol distills complex ideas into an accessible form, inviting deeper reflection on the principles that govern our existence. Through its simplicity, the cross serves as a gateway to exploring and embodying a greater experiential truth.

Since childhood, I have often contemplated the symbol of the cross, which has prompted me to explore the profound legacy of Jesus. Delving into the esoteric meaning and enigmatic depth of this symbol, I have come to understand that the cross represents the essential balance required for a holistic life.

The vertical beam signifies our spiritual ascent, the personal journey of connecting with the divine and seeking inner truth. In contrast, the horizontal beam reflects our earthly relationships and the actions we take within our communities. The cross, then, serves as a reminder that a meaningful life is found not by favoring one dimension over the other, but by integrating both— achieving harmony between inner growth and outward responsibility. Through this balance, we can fully engage with both our spiritual aspirations and the practical realities of human existence.

Glimpse of Jesus’ Legacy

When we look at the life of Jesus, as well as other prophets and saints across different cultures, one striking element is their grounding in an organic connection with inner intelligence—an inner clarity that transcended all theoretical ideologies. This grounding allowed them to act with purpose, and through their actions, they profoundly changed the world. For Jesus, faith and love were not abstract ideas; they were living realities that he embodied, manifesting spontaneously through service and sacrifice. His teachings weren’t theoretical but expressions of an inner truth, offering humanity a model of how deep spiritual grounding can be reflected in compassionate and transformative action. Such actions not only uplift individuals but also ripple outward, fostering healing and positive change within entire communities, thereby creating a legacy that continues to inspire and guide generations.

My Personal Dilemma

Reading the autobiographies of saints alongside with these holistic insights has been profoundly appealing and eye-opening. However, there is a significant difference between reading about the lives of saints and actually living their experiences. They have offered incredible value through their teachings, providing me with intellectual clarity that feels like a menu from a very fancy restaurant. Yet, I’ve always craved to taste the food and nourish myself from it—an experience that has often felt just beyond my reach. Their stories resonate deeply, and their teachings are inspiring. Still, if this intellectual understanding isn’t digested and integrated into my being, it can become harmful. Just as a person who overeats without proper digestion finds the feast turns to poison, so too can my intellectual insights inflate the self-image of “now I know,” ultimately boosting my ego and distancing me from my true essence.

What is this dilemma?

What is this curse?

To remain ignorant is to merely skim the surface of life, while holding knowledge without the capacity to integrate it through experience is akin to cultivating a disease. This new understanding pulled me back into the state of wonder…

Life never forsakes a genuine quest, and as Jesus said

“Ask, and it will be given; knock, and the door will be opened.”

Yet, in this state of wonder, as I knock on my Father’s door, I frequently question whether I truly deserve the grace for it to be opened to me.

My First Sniff of the Alluring Experiential Essence

My journey toward this alluring path began unexpectedly, emerging from the womb of my struggles and suffering. Through the divine arrangement of fate, I first encountered the Siddha lineage, a connection that transcended all my prior planning and seeking. This experience opened my eyes to profound layers of spirituality, where every breath reveals a new dimension of the sacred.

My encounter with the Siddhas marked a pivotal shift in my spiritual journey. This ancient lineage, with a heritage spanning centuries, is deeply rooted in experiential wisdom that transcends conventional understanding, anchored in a profound connection to the flow of the cosmos.

Pal Pandian, affectionately known as Palji, was not just any master; he was the living embodiment of Siddha wisdom. Through grace and divine alignment, I was fortunate to encounter him. For over 20 years, Palji has selflessly healed thousands without charge, showcasing the Siddha tradition’s deep commitment to service. His life integrates spirituality and practical healing, embodying the principles that this lineage represents.

What struck me most about Palji was his effortless integration of work and play; it often felt as if he was dancing through life, fully immersed in each moment. This fluidity reflects a hallmark of the Siddhas, who possess an innate ability to embody their teachings beyond conventional roles. In the Siddha tradition, spiritual practice is intertwined with everyday life—working and playing are one and the same. This seamlessness reveals the joy and spontaneity that define their engagement with the world.

The Siddhas not only teach healing practices but also impart the spiritual wisdom necessary to navigate life’s challenges. Through courses and workshops, they empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to become practitioners themselves, fostering a global community of healers who embody compassion and interconnectedness.

In encountering the Siddhas, I was invited into a deeper understanding of spirituality, healing, and the sacred dimensions of existence. Every lesson I received from Palji was rooted in his organic experience, not in borrowed knowledge from books or other sources. His teachings continue to illuminate the path for many, revealing the transformative power of experiential knowledge.

The Minimalistic Movement workshop

In our first minimalistic movement workshop, gracefully guided by Palji, we were introduced to experiential practices through conscious movements and postures. These exercises embodied universal patterns, mirroring natural flows in the cosmos. Rather than lengthy lectures for intellectual understanding, Palji led us through practices that left impressions on both the physical and subtle body. These impressions worked subtly to unravel ingrained psychological patterns—the root causes of much suffering. This approach bypassed the mind’s grasp on concepts, fostering deep transformation by allowing wisdom to emerge from within, reshaping the psyche through each intentional movement.

Baby-Starfish Practice: Synergizing the Horizontal and Vertical

In this unique practice, which ties directly to the themes discussed in this article, we alternate between two postures: the starfish and the baby. The starfish posture symbolizes full engagement with life and the environment, representing the horizontal dimension I previously mentioned. In contrast, the baby posture embodies grounding and inward focus, relating to the vertical dimension.

What makes this practice remarkable is the necessity of returning to the same center repeatedly, drawing from that center the ability to expand and contract. This constant alternation sharpens our capacity to move spontaneously between the two modes in a playful and fluid manner. It nurtures what Palji calls “adaptability”—the ability to act from inner intelligence, grounded in our core essence.

Pal Pandian’s use of these contrasting postures serves as a profound illustration of the relationship between the vertical and horizontal dimensions of human experience. By repeatedly transitioning between these two postures, this practice emphasizes the importance of integrating both dimensions—internal stillness and external engagement.

It was a revelation for me, demonstrating that true spontaneity arises when we harmonize our inner and outer experiences. This duality enriches not only personal development but also deepens our connections with others, revealing that all our interactions with life spring from this delicate balance between engagement and introspection.

Theoretical Versus Practical Knowledge

With a background in physics, I was fortunate to perceive the essence of duality through a scientific lens. In math and physics, we encounter a striking duality between theoretical concepts and practical applications. Theoretical knowledge, grounded in abstract principles, provides a framework for understanding the universe, while practical knowledge manifests through tangible experiments and real-world applications. True comprehension emerges when we integrate these dimensions, appreciating the beauty of mathematical equations alongside their transformative impact on technology and daily life. This balance enriches our understanding, revealing that theory and practice are two sides of the same coin, each enhancing and informing the other. This duality resonates in broader life patterns, such as cycles of life and death, rhythms of inhalation and exhalation, feminine and masculine energies, and the dynamics of rest and action. Through this synergy, we uncover a deeper meaning in existence itself.

Practical Applications of this Principle

Once the synergy between the horizontal and vertical dimensions becomes spontaneous and second nature, it unlocks a range of graceful capabilities that enhance our lives on individual, social, and corporate levels.

Here, I humbly present a few examples to illustrate the vast array of possibilities for how a human being can blossom across multiple dimensions:

Impact on the Individual Level

Impact on Achieving Clarity

Clarity arises when an individual transcends the multitude of choices, reaching a state of choiceless awareness. This state can only be attained by being fully grounded and attuned to our inner intelligence, allowing us to navigate life unclouded by the distractions created by the noisy monkeys of our minds. Mental clarity is a natural byproduct of the spontaneity discussed in this article, reflecting a harmonious alignment with our authentic selves. In this space, we can discern our deepest insights, free from confusion and the chaotic chatter that often obscures our true path.

Impact on Our Health

Disease arises when there is a blockage in the natural flow of energy within the system. The state of spontaneity and adaptability we discussed earlier helps to gradually dissolve the knots that hinder this flow. As we cultivate this state, the system conducts a self-audit, correcting itself in a process that requires no external intervention. Consequently, emotional and mental blockages begin to dissipate, allowing for a more harmonious balance and optimal health. Embracing spontaneity not only fosters resilience but also enhances our overall well-being, leading to a more vibrant life.

Impact on Emotional and Mental Intelligence

The synergy between these two dimensions of life significantly enhances emotional and mental intelligence, empowering individuals to understand and manage their emotions more effectively. This development leads to healthier relationships and improved communication skills, fostering a greater capacity for empathy that enriches interactions with others.

By alternating between focused and vacant modes—where the latter embodies a holistic perspective—individuals sharpen both their mental acuity and emotional awareness.

Impact on Creativity

This state we discussed dissolves the veil between the individual and their innate intelligence, with the veil often representing an attachment to personal identity. As a person gradually becomes rooted in this state, the veil becomes lighter, allowing them to draw not from the known—essentially their memory—but from the unknown, which is their innate intelligence. This shift is the essence of true creativity. In this context, I recall the beautiful words of Jiddu Krishnamurti on creativity: “Creativity is not a matter of skill, but a sense of discovery. It is an opening of the mind to the unknown, and this requires freedom from the known.” Through this lens, we see that genuine creativity emerges from a deep connection to one’s true self, unencumbered by past conditioning.

The Impact on the Social Level

As individuals deepen their understanding of themselves and their innate intelligence, the tendency to control others diminishes, fostering more genuine connections. Simultaneously, the inclination to avoid or suppress emotions in challenging situations decreases. Instead of retreating from discomfort, individuals engage authentically, embracing vulnerability and expressing their feelings openly. This shift leads to deeper, more meaningful relationships and contributes to a compassionate social environment, enhancing empathy and understanding among individuals.

Impact on Corporate level

Uncontrolled growth, or growth for the sake of growth, resembles a cancerous expansion that disregards sustainability, leading to environmental and social harm. This profit-driven focus reduces companies to financial metrics, eroding core values, employee engagement, and customer loyalty. In contrast, sustainable enterprises foster a “spirit” that balances internal values with external engagement, promoting resilience and adaptability. Purpose-driven companies cultivate job satisfaction and a positive culture, where employees feel connected to a meaningful mission and are motivated to contribute.

Conclusion

As I continue to cultivate this understanding, I strive to approach life with the curiosity and openness of a child, forever eager to learn and grow. Embracing this childlike mentality not only supports personal progress but also fosters authentic connections with others, allowing space for genuine transformation. A deep sense of gratitude fills me for the Siddha lineage, which opened my eyes to what I was once unaware of. It is in this spirit of wonder that I navigate life, recognizing that true wisdom lies in freeing myself from the shackles of the known and remaining open to the unknown, trusting that I will eventually touch the fringes of surrender.