M K Bhan
If religion is a sacred belief, purify your inner self, if it is a moral code of conduct, develop value system and if it is a puzzle of supernatural objects, then understand the laws of nature. In simplest terms, our ‘Actions’ become our ‘Religion’ and ‘Inactiveness’ a way of ‘Escapism. Swami Vivekananda says that one can come nearer to god not by chanting of ancient scriptures, but by kicking a football in the play field. Passing this gifted life in wandering for the search of peace and happiness somewhere else, is only a way of escaping from the realities of life.
Religion can be found in only two forms in this entire universe:- Flexible Religion and Static Religion. Flexible Religion gets fitted in any body, space and time. It becomes adaptable to accept the changes and advancements taking place in social, political and scientific fields. It brings enlightenment, removes the darkness from the ignorant minds; thus, transforming people into materially, spiritually and humanly fit global beings. The Static state of religion on the other hand, propagates illogical superstitious theories and misguides the youth towards a bleak future. It makes its followers unproductive for the society and the nation. It creates an institution of idlers and gossip mongers away from the reality of God and realization of life.
God is inside and not outside. Recognise the inner self and do not move out of your body to find any specific definition of god or religion. God has no religion and no religion can bind God. God is goodness, do good to others and be near to God. God is the name of sensitivity, feel and understand that sensitivity in nature and life; you will find the delicacy of God in your heart. Respecting all flora and fauna means respecting God itself. God expects us to take care of all his creation and in return, shares our all burden. Religion is an honest and selfless deed to nurture, groom and conserve the sources and resources of nature. ‘Beauty of God’ can be found in ‘Beautifying this Earth’.
Our brain and heart are the real temples; philosophy of kindness-our religion. There is no need of any temple or complicated philosophy in the journey of human race on this earth. Religion is a personal set of beliefs, practices and principles in the ultimate path of life. Religion gives a new meaning and dimension to the human existence within these culturally constituted institutions. Religion is not at all confined to any particular concept or belief in gods and goddesses or any other spiritual being or incarnations that have transcended on this earth from time to time. How we respond to the set universal laws of nature becomes our religion and philosophy of life.
Religion and Escapism are like the two distant poles which can never meet and walk together in this cosmos. ‘The Religion of Escapism’ has flourished tremendously along with growth and development of civil society. True followers of the religion always move their steps towards starving, suffering and deprived souls- spread fragrant smiles and share their pain. No religion of the world propagates the philosophy of ‘Escapism’, it rather prepares the defeated minds to fight back and struggle for one’s survival and existence. The best way to establish a connection with the god is to remain always connected to the people.
‘Duty, Responsibility, Fear and Hope’ are the four pillars of any religion. No translation is required to define and understand it. Religion is truth, goodness, beauty and simplicity of life. It has been made complex by the people who for some specific motives have changed the course of spiritualism to materialism. Seats of great religions of the world have now become the flourishing trade centers. We are conscious about this fact that God never demands anything from its creation except, a peaceful world full of love and humanity. Therefore, to avoid plethora of conflicts created by care takers of different religious parties, the best way to show our faith and respect for Him is to have ‘One Belief, One Religion, One God’.
All religions teach the philosophy of humbleness, righteousness, love and serving the people. Where the seed of hatred are being sown in soil of brotherhood and wars are being fought in the name of different gods, we should understand that such people are far-far away from the basics of religion. Man cannot achieve peace and live a better life elsewhere in this world, if he has not learnt first lesson of human life i.e. “To Love” This word “Love” has been misrepresented by different preachers and teachers of this world. LOVE in simple terms means “Life Of Values and Enlightenment”. The people devoid of (LOVE) the life of values and enlightenment, cannot understand ‘God’ in true sense of term.
God never interferes in our life and we also have no right to interfere in his set norms, code of conduct and pollute his magnificent abode. God never wants his loving devotees to run madly in this universe to seek him. Let’s stop searching him in the extreme length and breadth; higher altitudes of this glorious universe. As has been rightly said that prayers do not change God, it changes him who prays. There is need to change our perceptions about God. Saint Kabira has rightly said, “Where are you finding me O’ man, I am right there within you; I’m neither in Mecca, nor in Kashi, but right within your faith…”. “Sat-Chit-Ananda” i.e; “Existence, Consciousness and Delight” emphasizes the direct perception of truth about God and the goal of human life
God is right there in the serenity of nature, silence of the seas and stars, the moon and the sun, green meadows, flowery beds and so on. A silent prayer reaches directly to the supreme soul that is within you. God can only be comforted by plain living and high ideals, never with the artificialities of life. Playing audio cassettes, offering prayers and Chanting in high confusing voices on noisy loud speakers disturbs the peaceful hours of the beautiful day and our heart and soul gets engulfed with foggy restlessness. Electronic media is not any substitute for awakening of the sleeping souls. It has become a great barrier in the spiritual path and human progress. Religion makes a man self-reliant and never propagates any theory and practice of dependence.
The creation of this whole universe as ‘VASUDEVA-KUTUMBHKAM’ was an innovative idea, a joint venture of God and Man. We have lost that connectivity in these ever widening gears of so called advancement and modernization. ‘Vasudeva’ still exists but his ‘Kutumbhkam’ is disintegrated and shattered in different directions. We have proved ourselves as misfits in it and what about God….? Yes!… ‘He’ is still there holding a key position to integrate the shattered pieces of that joint venture – ‘VASUDEVA-KUTUMBHKAM’. It is the question of OUR RELIGION now…!
(The author is Director-cum-Principal SGGJ Model School, Sunderbani)
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