We see a shifting trend in the modern world – people are moving from religion to spirituality. What is being spiritual? We term Monks to be spiritual. Do we need to wear ochre robes like them and live in isolated places like the mountains and hills? Do we need to get new names with ‘Das’ or ‘Ananda’ or ‘Tirtha’ etc attached to them? Do we need to give up our families and jobs and all comforts and work for the good of humanity? We could do all that. But there is no guarantee that it will make us more spiritual.
What is being spiritual? It is the common factor we find in all spiritual people, the quality that is so captivating and tantalizing that we find on their faces and in their eyes – Peace! We like to gaze at the face of Buddha for he is the embodiment of peace and looking at him we feel peaceful. Spirituality is about a way of life which brings you peace within yourself and you are at peace with yourself and life. We seek peace outside us. But peace is within us. Peace is a quality of the Soul. We need to dust the layers of ignorance which cover the Soul and we will find ourselves peaceful.
In order to get peace of mind we need to develop our potentials to the maximum and work for ourselves, our family, society and nation. When we dedicate our talents and efforts to higher cause or purpose we always feel more peaceful. To reach this level of understanding we need to read and study the lives of saints and other peaceful people, texts which teach peace and ways of achieving peace and find our own way of attaining peace. Each of us is a unique individual. Our needs and talents are different. What works for one may not work for the other.
Dedicating our talents and efforts to God gives us the highest level of peace. That Supreme Force of the Universe which supports our every breath and gives life to the zillions of cells in our body and makes us move and think is Love and Peace. When we develop bhakti or deep love for God, we are able to realise God within us and also within all creation. Then every moment of our lives, our every action, all our thoughts are all aimed at serving that Supreme Force. This gives the highest level of satisfaction and brings the maximum development of our inner potentials.
Becoming spiritual is a slow and gradual process and we shift our thinking and sense of values in a manner which does not shake or shock our families or us. To make our lives spiritual we need not leave our home and family. We only need to change our thinking and attitudes. We need to monitor our thoughts and reactions. We need to regroup our priorities. We need to do things which give us maximum peace. When we live our lives with aim of doing all our actions with love and dedicate our entirety to God we are spiritual and living in the best possible manner. Our thoughts, words and actions flow as one without disparities. We think, speak and act with the same words and with wisdom. When life flows with in such a synchronized manner we are at peace.
Spirituality is not giving up family or friends or our favourite car or couch. It is giving up of our negativities. We must work consciously and constantly on self improvement. We must live in awareness of our thoughts and overcome the qualities of anger, lust, vengefulness, pride and attachment in ourselves.
Practise of Mantra Japa and Meditation are very useful. For they help us go within ourselves. They are tools of self discovery. They are inner cleansers and dust off the layers from the Soul and reveal the peace within us. They reveal truths and higher principles. They strengthen our resolve and will power. They give energy for self transformation. Peace is to be found only within. And it is a voyage of self discovery. Ultimately every soul walks this path and reaches the same destination albeit by different routes.
