Four Kinds of Maturity

(adapted from an article by Sri Om Swami)

We normally assume that people mature with age, however, many just age and do not mature. Maturity in any individual can be classified to exist at four levels; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  We shall see them one by one

     Physical Maturity

Physical maturity does not refer to the normal ageing process which happens without any effort on one’s part, whether one likes it or not.  But it is the dawn of realization that if physical health is not in top shape, everything else is not worth much in life.  As one ages body starts slowing down demanding more attention.  That moment when one realizes that one must take due care of one’s body and not abuse it, as an unhealthy body is a drag on life, is when one has actually matured physically.  From then on one accords the maintenance of good physical health the top place in one’s priority list and proceeds to implement it.

    Mental Maturity

Mental maturity is about the courage, as listed below:

a)    Courage to admit when one is in the wrong and to apologise. 

b)    Courage to accept one’s fault and to correct it. 

c)    Courage to say ‘No’ to things one does not want to do or have in one’s life.

d)    Courage to admit ‘I do not know’ about things one does not know

e)    Courage to pursue one’s dharmic dreams

Emotional Maturity

When one is able to realize that one alone is responsible for one’s feelings, one can be said to have attained emotional maturity.  He/she understands that the world does not owe one a life and if one does not like how he is feeling about life, circumstances and people around him, it is he who has to change, not the people nor the circumstances. If he does not change, life also will not.  Stagnant thoughts and feelings obstruct the path of emotional maturity.  Without growing up emotionally, one cannot be self-reliant and joyous.

    Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual maturity helps one to put everything in perspective.  At the heart of spiritual maturity is the firm understanding that nothing is permanent in life.   Not only one understands that nothing will last forever, one also has the realization that nothing is designed to last forever.  One must be prepared to accept change, when it happens and move on.

One actually starts living when one attains maturity at all four levels; physical. mental, emotional and spiritual.  Until then, one is simply battling with one thing or another.  When one truly grows up, he realizes that each one has his own life to live and that one cannot and one need not live other peoples’ lives nor they his life.  Life is not a burden to bear but a cheerful co-traveller, who is ever ready and willing to participate in everything one does.  This understanding has the capacity to fill one with joy, bliss and much more.  Only it has to feel wanted and valued. Making friends with one’s life will be worth more than anything else.

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