Basics of spiritual life -Hindu article

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Basics of spiritual life

 

 

CHENNAI, OCT.25 . Contentment is the key to success in spiritual life

as the root of human problems is desire. Propelled by desire for

sensory gratification a person increases his wants and in the process

becomes attached to his acquisitions. In the long run this is only

counterproductive as human birth is an opportunity given by God to

get over bondage, which results in rebirths. The desire for material

things is never-ending and unless one consciously tries to cultivate

the quality of contentment this urge cannot be satisfied even till

the end of life. Besides, the majority of people waste precious time

in frivolous pursuits like gossip, which can instead be utilised for

engaging in spiritual practices like prayer, meditation and reading

of holy texts.

 

In his discourse, Swami Gautamananda said every individual must

sincerely pursue the objective of realising God by cultivating

detachment towards the world. Overcoming attachment is a negative

injunction; positively it translates into engaging the mind in

spiritual pursuits so that it will naturally disengage from worldly

matters without much difficulty. The human mind can be trained like a

mother does her child. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to say that

one must tell the mind whatever one wants to achieve. Initially it

will not listen but slowly it will come around.

 

It is only because man does not know that Self-realisation will

afford lasting bliss and fulfilment that he does not take to the

spiritual path. If this objective is suggested to the mind it will

automatically be drawn to it. Once there is a change in mental

outlook and commitment to the spiritual goal it will reflect on one's

worldly activities also. A spiritual seeker will meet with a lot of

impediments but he must overcome them with determination, as most of

them will be mental conflicts between his worldly attachments and the

spiritual goal.

 

In cultivating devotion to God it is good to develop an emotional

relationship (bhava) like that of master-servant, parent-child and so

on. When devotion and spiritual knowledge go in tandem during the

process of spiritual evolution it is easier for the devotee to enter

the inner sanctum of God. It is difficult for the mind to engage in

meditation but devotion enables to easily attune the mind to God. The

example of Hanuman is apt for the master-servant relationship.

Likewise, it is very easy for everyone to think that this world

belongs to God and we are all His children.

 

 

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