Sunaina Jalali Koul
Today’s life is full of stresses and strains. It has become a part and parcel of every body’s life be it an adult or child. These emotional disturbances are rapidly engulfing them towards more grave problems like suicides ,rape ,theft, murder and so on .In recent years it has not left aside even the pious relation of a father and daughter , mother and son. Previously such disturbed environment was very common in the west but now it has maligned our Indian society as well. Since ancient times as well as a decade ago everybody in the family used to follow religious and social rituals as a part of daily routine. Due to the migration of people from one place to another due to employment or inter religion and inter caste marriages, the religious and social customs of various communities have started to fade away. We can feel the pinch of spirituality missing which is leaving its impressions in the form of a disturbed and depressed society and has been engulfed by grave social problems. Irrespective of any society in the world, the well being depends on its degree of spiritual awakening. The scientist’s world over are busy finding cure for various diseases lest being aware that the increased emotional imbalance in our society is the biggest challenge before mankind which in turn is the root cause of various problems. Fight against it will be won not by medicine but treating the society spiritually. In words of Sri Sri Ravishanker ‘spirituality is an experience which needs to be felt.’
Lack of spiritual awakening in the society is the basic cause of emotional unrest. In ancient days life was to some extent free from such strains. A spiritual talk was a routine in every household and the whole family was jointly participating. Hence whenever there was any problem it was taken care of there and then. All this took place in a natural way, just like eating, bathing, cooking and so on. The day always started and ended with a spiritual discourse. The children also got trained in the same direction. Life was much harder, as everything had to be carried out manually. Despite increased physical labour, mental stress was not common in the society. Spirituality was an important tool used to overcome such strains.
Now a day’s life is surrounded by various energy saving gadgets making life very comfortable but unknowingly man has become a slave of these gadgets so much so that two people sitting close by do not have time to talk to each other. These gadgets should have made more time available to mankind but it is really sad they have no free time even for regular prayers, what to talk about spiritual talks. Families have no time to sit together and talk even over normal life problems .This is more common in Metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta and Chennai. A point to be noted here is that the family size has reduced from 10- 20 members to only 3-4. Even a small family of three members finds it difficult to sit together and talk.
Spirituality must not be confused with Religion. One can be spiritual and follow any Religion. Religion is a path followed by a group having faith in a particular God or a Power. There are various Religions in the world. All religions basically believe in inculcating a special conduct in life. The end product of it is peace to all mankind. Hence it will not be wrong to say that there are many paths to reach the goal, that is attainment of peace, but imbibing a proper conduct is common .This proper conduct is basically spirituality. One needs to realize that by ignoring spirituality one cannot feel the presence of God.
People turn to spirituality when they are hit by some grave mishap. The mishap makes them realize the presence of God and they move towards spirituality. In times of distress one is ready to do whatever spiritual act he is told to undertake in order to heal their wounds. The realization comes at a time when the wounds have already started bleeding and spirituality can do little. The age old saying of ‘prevention is better than cure’ is befitting. Why do people wait for some mishap to remember God?
Take for example, a person does not clean his body on a daily basis and allows dirt and dust to accumulate. The body will slowly start looking ugly. In this circumstance if the body gets an injury, the chances of infection going deep inside are eminent and medicines may fail to take care of such injuries. Whereas on the other hand if your body is clean at all times ,in case of any injury , healing will not be too much a problem.
Similar is the case with our souls and minds. It is important that we clean our soul on a daily basis with the water of spirituality. This in turn will help the soul to bravely face any situation. This will make the body and mind strong to absorb various shocks and strains of daily life. As mentioned earlier, people do not want to take to spirituality till the time something terrible happens. Can spirituality be effective at that point of time? Cleaning our body with the water of spirituality is not that easy as cleaning with normal water. One has to undergo a lot of practice in order to do so. Practice and only practice will help you achieve this goal. One uses soap and shampoo while taking bath with water to make one’s body glowing similarly one has to use various spiritual talks and mantras to clean the soul properly and make it sparkling. Again it will not be wrong to mention here that spiritual talks and mantras may vary in different religions because of difference in language but the outcome is same— attainment of peaceful mind.
Take an example of a disease being diagnosed in its early stages. The chances of it being cured are more. Similarly a person practicing spirituality right from childhood will always be ready to fight any type of problem in life. This does not mean that the problem will vanish but spirituality gives the strength to fight against the problem, just as gear and break oils helps in the smooth functioning of an engine in a car. Today’s society is like a free flowing river which has washed its shores and in turn creating a trauma in the whole world. Spirituality is the only remedy to stop it.
People usually think that practicing spirituality is difficult as it is wrongly perceived as giving up all worldly pleasures and just praying. Spirituality refers to a whole lot of activities in daily life and praying is just a small part of it. Spirituality refers to the following acts.
Leading a truthful life.
Respecting everyone
Being polite to everyone.
Ready to forgive at all times and in all circumstances.
Being helpful to every one without expecting anything
in return
Avoid abusing and back biting.
Try to change yourself in accordance with situation as it is easy to change yourself.
If possible be vegetarian.
Discharge your daily duties honestly and to the best of your ability.
Do not force your ideas on others. Just place the facts as they are.
Always be at the receptive end.
Always be open minded
Be prepared for good and bad times in life.
Learn to be satisfied in what you have.
Do not envy any one.
Daily sit quietly for some time and try to introspect.
Be helpful to the needy.
Live with the belief that everything in this world happens for a reason.
Try to have a good untainted character.
Charity begins at home, before preaching change yourself.
These are a few acts, out of many, which, if a person tries to follow, will keep his soul clean and help him to remain healthy and tension free .Once one tries to imbibe the above qualities in one’s self only then will one be able to drink the water of spirituality.
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