One may well ask , “Even if I am able to undertake all the hard disciplines that are prescribed for a spiritual seeker, how indeed do I benefit from spirituality?” Also, “How do I lose out if I don’t practice it?”.
Have you ever had a good look at your present life? Are you not mindlessly passing each day painstakingly , pushing away the unpleasant and pulling the pleasant? Does your mind listen to you? Can you control it’s ceaseless demands and demeaning instinctual reactions to situations, things and beings? Can you command the thoughts to relax or vanish when you so wish? Every action longs for happiness and peace but do you achieve it? If yes, for how long? Mostly, we do not even question our pursuits. We thoughtlessly keep doing what others are doing and are beggars for their approval or acceptance into the herd! We spend a lifetime trying to achieve other people’s idea of success so that we can get their claps!
True spirituality, helps one to analyse life intelligently and then discriminate wisely. It scientifically and honestly dissects the layers of our personalities, physical, emotional ,intellectual and beyond, then sets our minds to question the ‘why’ and the ‘wherefore ‘ of human life. It poses the pertinent question, “Are you happy?” If not, then why not? If yes, then is it permanent? Can you differentiate between happiness and pleasure ? Why are both so short lived? Finally, you want to live joyfully, meaningfully, and discover the secret path to peace and love that floods your life forever. Great spiritual masters unravel for us a new dimension of living, never experienced before. They unfold a wisdom unknown till then. Spirituality blossoms as love for all beings as one realises the all pervading nature of pure consciousness as a homogeneous mass of bliss undiluted. A heretofore deadened life bursts forth into the fragrant blossoms of love,selfless service, thankfulness, peace and fulfilment .
Prarthna Saran. President Chinmaya Mission New Delhi.
Email: prarthnasaran@gmail.com