Bismillah
Praise be to Allah Alhamdulelah that this is what u were looking for. Let me take the chance to continue, although I know u said u have no further questions here.
Sobhan Allah (Glory be to Allah), u brought up an excellent point which if it proves anything, it proves that this is how mankind is created. It is an instinct.
<b>"That one seeks to be with him, it is not a chore but rather an exciting honor, a chance to escape the sense of transience that fills this life, by gazing upon the face of the Eternal."
</b>. Indeed also it is not a chores but rather an entertainment.
This is exactly how one feels when doing the different types of worship.
Let me explain further, invoking upon Allah, making rememberence (which is to remember Allah by saying certain supplications taught in Quran and Sunnah: traditions of the Messener prayer and peace be upon him), making voluntary prayer or fasting all fall under the title of worship. Needless to mention that of course we dont say remembrance of Allah because we only remember Allah while we are saying those supplicaitons, of course not. How can we forget Allah at any other point. Allah, and let me say that this is a choice of the devotee of course, I mean in this level of closeness, it is a choice, Allah Is Presente in the devotee's heart all the time. Mind you Mahavspna, the minute a devotee decides that he/she wants to pursue this path, the minute this person steps one step towards Allah, in return Allah steps back in a quicker pace. And this is poved by a Hadeeth (Prophet's narrations).
Let me try to dig it out:
Narrated under the authority of Anas Bin Malek that the Messenger prayer and peace be upon him said: Your Lord may Allah be Glorified Say: When the devotee draws close to me the length of an extended hand, I come close to him an arm's length, if the devotee draws close to me an arm's length, I draw close to him the length between the shoulder and the wrest, and if the devotee walks towards me walking I come towards him running" (reported by Ahmed).
Do you see the deep sense in this hadeeth? Glory be to Allah.
However, how to do this, remains the most important point and question. We must be careful while taking this advantage of drawing close to Allah, we do this using the legitimate means as I explained. One more important point here, that as u can clearly see, there are two or even more types of human beings approach. One of that who wishes to be as close as possible to the ONe Who Deserves this, one who desirs to attain a special position. And that of the commonor who does the rituals and strives to obey and avoid positions of sins which is of course still good, however, in some cases one may feel a burden in doing so which is not bad also. Last of what i can think of now, again I stress I m talking from heart to heart, nothing formal i m explaining how I feel, the path of one who is not even aware of the Exitence of Allah, one who easily denies Allah's Existence and ....etc.
I dont want to be blamed for bleeding eyes, but really talking about how to draw close to Allah can stimulate me to talk forever.
Mahavspna, let me ask u something, u said:
<b>my own devotional practice is very similar
</b>
What is your devotional practice, given the fact that u r not attached to any religion?
If u dont mind me asking of course. I mean how do u apply this??