WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY?

[Guest guest]

Dear devotees of the Adi Shakti,

 

i have come across this beautiful article and want all of you to

read it. However, it must be forewarned that it is from a non-Sahaj

source just in case some SY Saugstad or Sood roast me for corrupting

your minds. As said before i want to be my own master and learn from

all sources, from the highly placed self-realized masters to the

lowly pariah dog.

 

i dislike fanatical SYs who treat every non-Sahaj knowledge with

suspicion and disgust. There are many great writers who have the

unique ability to make us understand the difficult topic of

spirituality better. i am willing to learn from them because nothing

on Earth can disturb or cast doubts on my unshakeable belief that

the Adi Shakti within me - who has incarnated on Earth as Shri

Mataji Nirmala Devi - is my eternal Divine Mother and Inner

Guide. i can only be my own master by refusing to be the slave of

external authority and ignorance.

 

Jai Shri Mataji!

 

jagbir

 

 

 

WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY?

 

An Introduction

 

Before we can answer the question: What is spirituality?, we need to

gain a basic understanding of human nature.

 

The Three Realms

 

Each human being is composed of three basic aspects: physical,

mental, and spiritual.

 

The physical realm is the realm of the human body. It includes the

workings of the body as a whole, as well as the workings of the

various parts of the body, such as the brain and the motor and

sensory organs.

 

The mental or psychic realm is the realm of thoughts and feelings,

the realm of human psychology. It includes the characteristics and

faculties of the human mind, the layers or levels of mind, and the

various propensities of the mind.

 

The spiritual realm is the realm beyond the mind; it is the realm of

the soul and Infinite Consciousness. The soul may be defined as the

clear reflection of Infinite Consciousness and it reflects on the

mind.

 

In human beings, the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects are

highly developed, making us unique. We, as human beings, have the

capacity to understand ourselves and to realize our inner, spiritual

nature.

 

The Nature of the Self

 

To understand how we can go about doing this, we need to know about

the self. By self, we do not mean the physical self, or the physical

body, nor do we mean the mental self; we mean the spiritual self, or

the soul.

 

What is the difference between the mental self and the soul? Western

psychologists advance various ideas to explain the nature of the

self, but most of these ideas are at best vague and incomplete, and

at worst, totally incorrect. The mental self is our feeling of I-

ness, our I-feeling. Our I-feeling has various stages of subtlety

which give us our sense of doing and knowing. The difference between

our mental self, or the various stages of our I-feeling, and our

spiritual self, or our soul, is that the former is mental in nature

while the latter is consciousness itself.

 

The Purpose of Human Life

 

The purpose of human life is to merge our mental self, or our I-

feeling, into our spiritual self, or our soul, and then merge our

soul into Infinite Consciousness. In other words, the purpose of

human life is to merge our mind and soul into Infinite

Consciousness, and thereby realize our true spiritual nature. This

process is often referred to as self-realization.

 

As we endeavour to merge our self into Infinite Consciousness, we

also should try to perform as much selfless service as we can.

Spiritual advancement and selfless service go together. Thus, the

purpose of human life can be characterized as self-realization and

service to humanity (or, more broadly, the entire universe). Self-

realization and Service to Humanity is the motto of Ananda Marga

(the Path of Bliss).

 

The Essence of Spirituality

 

Spirituality means that which concerns Infinite Consciousness. When

we direct our I-feeling towards Infinite Consciousness in a

conscious, systematic way, we make spiritual progress. Conversely,

when we direct our I-feeling towards the mental or physical realms

without making any effort to adjust it with Infinite Consciousness,

we do not make any spiritual progress.

 

Spirituality is about 'oneness'. By 'oneness', we do not mean

oneness is the physical or mental realms, we mean oneness in the

spiritual realm. The essence of spirituality is to become one with

Infinite Consciousness.

 

The Spiritual Path

 

A time comes in the life of a person when they are given the

opportunity to decide whether or not they want to direct their I-

feeling towards Infinite Consciousness. If they decide they do, they

get the opportunity to progress spiritually this lifetime; if they

decide they don't, the opportunity to progress spiritually this

lifetime wanes, becomes unimportant, or is lost.

 

Those who make the conscious decision to direct their I-feeling

towards Infinite Consciousness, set out on the spiritual path. In

one sense, the spiritual path is the same for all of us: all

spiritual aspirants are endeavouring to merge their I-feeling into

Infinite Consciousness. In another sense, the spiritual path is

unique for each of us: each individual has to undergo their own

distinct set of experiences in order to reach the goal.

 

Gaining an understanding of the purpose of human life is the first

step on the spiritual path. Making the decision to direct our I-

feeling towards Infinite Consciousness is the next step. When a

person makes this decision, they become ready to learn spiritual

meditation.

 

Spiritual Meditation

 

Performing spiritual meditation regularly is how we merge our I-

feeling into Infinite Consciousness. Learning spiritual meditation

from a qualified teacher is called initiation.

 

Broadly speaking, there are two types of meditation taught today:

spiritual meditation and non-spiritual meditation. In spiritual

meditation, the mind is directed towards Infinite Consciousness; in

non-spiritual meditation, the mind is directed towards the psychic

and physical realms. Many meditation techniques involve

concentrating the mind on various mental or physical phenomena, such

as a candle flame, blank space, a particular thought, money, power,

etc. Such meditation techniques are non-spiritual in nature.

Spiritual meditation always directs the mind towards Infinite

Consciousness - the Supreme Soul.

 

The right to learn spiritual meditation is the birthright of each

individual, and learning spiritual meditation must be free of cost.

The simplest way to determine whether or not a particular meditation

technique is spiritual or non-spiritual is to find out if it directs

the mind towards Infinite Consciousness and is free of cost.

Qualified spiritual teachers, called acaryas, teach spiritual

meditation free of cost.

 

For most of the last 2,000 years, spiritual meditation was virtually

unknown in the West, and western philosophy said little, if

anything, about the purpose of human life. But that was not always

the case. Although spiritual meditation originated in India, several

famous Greek philosophers taught people about the purpose of human

life, practised spiritual meditation themselves, and initiated their

disciples. Members of other civilizations also practised spiritual

meditation. But with the decline of the Greek civilization and the

rise of organized religion, the practice of spiritual meditation all

but died out in the West. Over the last 100 years, however, this

situation has gradually changed. Spiritual meditation has again

spread from India to the West, and today it is practised throughout

the world.

 

Spiritual Methodology

 

As we make spiritual progress, we constantly need to adjust our I-

feeling so that we can function effectively in the world. That is,

as we direct our I-feeling towards Infinite Consciousness, we

constantly need to adjust our I-feeling so that we can function

effectively in the mental and physical realms.

 

This approach to life is called 'subjective approach and objective

adjustment'. It is the spiritual approach to life, and may be

characterized as spiritual methodology. The opposite approach is

objective approach and subjective adjustment; is the materialistic

approach to life. In the former spiritual approach, one's I-feeling

progresses towards Infinite Consciousness; in the latter approach,

one's I-feeling moves towards matter. That is why it is said the

opportunity for spiritual progress is lost.

 

By following spiritual methodology, we learn how to direct our I-

feeling towards Infinite Consciousness as we simultaneously function

in the mental and physical realms.

 

Spiritual Morality

 

Spiritual morality is the foundation stone of spiritual progress.

Unless we follow principles of spiritual morality, we will not be

able to meditate properly and progress spiritually.

 

There are two types of morality: simple morality and spiritual

morality. Simple morality includes secular morality and religious

morality, while spiritual morality includes cardinal human values

(ie the cardinal principles of human morality, or the yogic code of

Yama and Niyama, and Neo-ethics). To make spiritual progress, we

have to follow the principles of spiritual morality. Thus, spiritual

morality and spiritual progress go together.

 

Following spiritual morality is so important on the spiritual path

that it has been said: 'Spiritual morality is the base, spiritual

meditation is the means, and life divine is the goal'. Spiritual

morality consists of:

 

* External moral discipline: ie not intentionally causing harm by

thought, word or action; proper action of mind and right use of

words; nonstealing; to see the Infinite Consciousness or Cosmic

essence in all things; non-indulgence in superfluous things or

greedlessness;

* Internal moral strength: ie cleanliness both external and

internal; mental ease or contentment; going out of one's way to help

others or selflessness; proper understanding of spiritual subjects;

devotion to a higher principle of life or love for the Infinite

Consciousness (God).

 

What Spirituality Is Not

 

Many people today are confused about spirituality. They often think

that spirituality is something it is not. Now that we know what

spirituality is, let us look at what spirituality is not.

 

Spirituality is not following numerology, astrology, the I-Ching,

etc, merely to gain insight into one's life. Understanding one's

higher self is, however, part of spirituality. It is not New Age

metaphysics. Spirituality is not going back to a pre-industrial, pre-

modern lifestyle where one can commune with nature and be one with

the world; that is, spirituality is not back to nature or down to

earth. Spirituality is not contacting ghosts, spirits or dead

relatives to find the answers to life's problems; that is,

spirituality is not spiritualism. Spirituality is not taking drugs

to alter one's awareness or giving up everything to visit holy

places; that is, spirituality is not escaping from or renouncing the

world. Spirituality is not sexual union to gain intimacy in sexual

practice; that is, spirituality is not sexuality. Nor is

spirituality entering into a narrow relationship with God, following

a set of dogmatic beliefs, and hoping to go to heaven after one

dies; that is, spirituality is not religion.

 

Is spirituality yoga? Yoga does not mean exercises or yoga

postures. Yoga means union with Infinite Consciousness. Mere

performance of yoga postures or any other technique associated with

so-called yoga is not spirituality. Unless and until a person has

the inclination to become one with Infinite Consciousness or God and

directs their I-feeling towards That, only then will yoga assist in

spirituality. Otherwise, the so-called yoga is merely a subtle form

of exercise.

 

As we have seen, spirituality is none of these things. All of the

above are based on some kind of relativity; be it opting out of the

world, physical, sensual, seeking mental stimulation, intellectual -

they come and go. Attachment to or desire or addiction towards the

relative defeats the purpose of obtaining the Infinite Consciousness

or the Absolute. The relative world is a relative truth and can be

useful in establishing a congenial environment for spirituality and

the person who directs their I-feeling to the Infinite Consciousness

will at the same time see the expression of the Infinite

Consciousness in all things relative.

 

Spirituality and Religion

 

Perhaps the greatest mistake that people make when they set out to

learn about spirituality is to confuse it with religion.

Spirituality and religion are not the same thing.

 

The most fundamental difference between spirituality and religion is

that spirituality teaches people to become one with God, or Infinite

Consciousness. Religion, on the other hand, teaches people that they

will always remain separate from God. What is the basis of the

distinction? In philosophical terms, the fundamental difference is

that spirituality is non-dualistic, while religion is dualistic. In

dualism, the inner feeling and general tendency is to take it for

granted that there are two entities, the unit being and the Supreme

Being. In non-dualism the Supreme Being contains everything and

there is complete merger of unit consciousness with Infinite

Consciousness; the sense of I-ness is completely absorbed.

 

According to the cosmology of the main religions, it goes generally

along these lines: after we have lived out our life, we die and our

soul goes to purgatory, where it stays until the Day of Judgment.

Upon judgment, the 'saved' go to heaven and the 'sinners' go to

hell. The 'saved' sit beside God in heaven for the rest of eternity,

and the poor 'sinners' sit beside the devil in hell for the same

duration. According to spirituality, on the other hand, once we have

learned spiritual practices, we have the opportunity to complete our

spiritual journey and become one with Infinite Consciousness in this

very life.

 

There are many differences between spirituality and religion, but

the most fundamental difference is that spirituality involves

becoming one with Infinite Consciousness - one with God - while

religion involves remaining separate from Infinite Consciousness (eg

being 'beside' God). Consequently religions will always mean

separation of unit consciousness from Infinite Consciousness -

separation of unit soul from the Supreme Soul. However, in

spirituality, the unit soul is the same as the Supreme Soul, but for

the sense of I-ness and this sense of I-ness is dissolved through

spiritual practices. It is part of the Cosmic dance that this

Cosmic drama unfolds itself for each individual.

 

The so-called rewards of religions will also always be relative.

Everything relative is subject to birth, sustainability and decay or

generation, operation and destruction (GOD - the Cosmic drama). The

notion of a self or soul in heaven or hell is also a falsity and is

relative because where there is separation of self from Infinite

Consciousness there is the inevitable process of generation,

operation and decay. This is simply the application of the theory

of relativity. So, only by proceeding towards the Absolute is there

spiritual liberation or permanent spiritual salvation.

 

The Science of Spirituality

 

Spirituality is a science. The science of spirituality, or the

science of spiritual practices, is called Tantra. Tantra has existed

for thousands of years. It sets out in very clear terms the various

stages that spiritual aspirants need to pass through as they

progress along the spiritual path. The practice of Tantra enables

spiritual aspirants to move along the spiritual path in a smooth,

natural way.

 

In some parts of the world, there is confusion about the true

meaning of Tantra. People who have no understanding of spirituality

and no genuine desire to progress spiritually popularize incorrect

ideas about Tantra. They teach that Tantra is concerned with

acquiring power (eg occultism) or enjoying life in various types of

ways (eg sexual practices). Such people do not understand that

Tantra is the science of merging our I-feeling into Infinite

Consciousness by performing spiritual practices.

 

Devotion

 

The practice of Tantra, and thus spiritual meditation, is designed

to develop devotion. This is the purpose of spiritual practices.

Once the feeling of devotion is developed, it becomes possible for

the spiritual aspirant to merge their I-feeling into Infinite

Consciousness.

 

Love and devotion are not the same thing. Love is a propensity

situated near the mid-point of the chest. When the feeling of love

is awaken and channelled towards Infinite Consciousness, devotion

develops. Spiritual aspirants endeavour to awaken the feeling of

devotion so that they can concentrate their mind at the point of the

pineal gland, psychically advance in their spiritual outlook, and

merge into Infinite Consciousness. This is the inner secret of

spirituality.

 

Human life is very short, hence we should try to make as much

spiritual progress as we can by cultivating the feeling of devotion.

 

The Preceptor

 

Some people believe that they can make spiritual progress by relying

exclusively on their own efforts. That is, they believe that they do

not need the help or guidance of a spiritual preceptor. But this is

a mistaken belief. Just as the effort to be successful in any aspect

of worldly life requires the assistance of suitable teachers or

mentors, the effort to progress spiritually depends upon the

guidance of a genuine spiritual preceptor.

 

The guidance of a spiritual preceptor is so important on the

spiritual path that it is impossible for a spiritual aspirant to

make any spiritual progress without the Preceptor's help. The

personal guidance of the Preceptor is what enables the spiritual

aspirant to make spiritual progress. Such personal guidance is known

as the grace of the Preceptor. In yoga, it is the grace of the

Guru. Only God alone is the Guru and teachings are expressed

through physical mediums who are Preceptors (but as the

consciousness of the Preceptor is the same as Infinite Consciousness

the Preceptor can also be called the guru).

 

When a person becomes ready to learn spiritual meditation, they find

a spiritual preceptor according to the strength of their spiritual

longing. If their spiritual longing is extremely strong, they will

find a highly accomplished Preceptor, one who is well-versed in all

aspects of Tantra and all branches of knowledge. Such a spiritual

preceptor will be able to guide them successfully through all the

stages on the spiritual path so that they can reach their ultimate

goal. The guidance is in all realms of existence: physical, mental

and spiritual. The Preceptor is merely the expression of the

Infinite Consciousness through the form an enlightened being and is

one with the Infinite Consciousness.

 

Ultimately spirituality means oneness or union with Infinite

Consciousness. The essence of spirituality is to become one with

Infinite Consciousness.

[Guest guest]

Hope this will Supplement Sexana Bhayia....on Sprituality. All the Sahaj Brothers and sisters are Spritual and Not Religious. Spiritual or Religious Which are you? What is the difference? The spiritual person sees the truth in all religions, while the Religious person seems to acknowledge only their path. There are many paths to the Divine mine is but one. There are many very Religious people, who follow atleast the letter of their religion. They do not however follow the Spirit. They have read about or been told about A Path, but do not recognize others. How

can one Faith be more correct than another can? Who is right? The truly Spiritual person can see that all are correct. All are different paths to the same goal. The goal is reunion with the Divine. The Divine is manifest in all things, including us. The Religious person may have read or heard about all things Divine in nature. The Spiritual person has experienced these things for themselves and seen their own true nature. The Spiritual person recognizes they are a Spirit being having a human experience, not a Human have a few Spiritual experiences. Many religious people have been told to do things certain ways and not question why. If they do question, the answer is because, The Bible or Koran or some Hindu text or some Buddhist text

says to do it that way. That is ok for some but just because it has been written down does not make it good for the benefit of all. There have been many great religious and spiritual leaders. They were not necessarily one and the same. The religious leaders put forth the letter of their own faith, but often repressed other faiths. The Spiritual leaders spread the word as they saw it, but did not condemn others paths. They often incorporated other faiths into their own. All religions stem from the same source. The Spiritual person sees and can acknowledge this fact. The Religious person is at times trapped within their own faith and can not see outside. They often can or will not acknowledge the many paths to the Source. The Spiritual person can recognize the many manifestations of the Divine as being parts of the same Source. The religious person recognizes only the manifestation they have been taught. Too often the religious person seeks to discredit other manifestations of the Divine. This has been the cause of many wars and countless deaths. This has caused people throughout history to be persecuted because of their religion. The Christians persecuted the Pagans. The Jews persecuted the Christians. The Chinese government persecuted the Buddhists in Tibet. Christians persecuted other Christians. Once started this cycle is at

times hard to stop. This list could go on and on and on. Even within the same path, people interpret things in different manners. The Spiritual person can see the Light in all. The Religious only sees their own narrow band of light. The Divine Light is Broad and contains all the colors of the Rainbow in a constant state of change. The Divine includes all sects and paths. If only there were more Spiritual people in this world as opposed to Religious people. Spiritual people are more open to other faiths and learn from each other. Religious people tend to only want to learn about their own path. Religious people follow the letter of religion, but often not the Spirit of it. Spiritual people are more concerned with the spirit of religion

than the letter of it. I suppose that is the main difference between Religious and Spiritual. There are truths in all Paths to the Divine. All have the same goal. That goal is a reunion with the Divine. We must not be bogged down in Dogma-no matter what the source. We are All beings of Light. The light can and does shine through in all of us. It may be stronger in some than others, but it is there in all. We should learn to see the Light in all things be they animal, vegetable, or mineral. Everything in the known existence and the many things we do not know about is composed of Energy. It is all energy at different levels of vibration. Universe: Uni=One, Verse=Song.Universe=One Song. One Song heard by all throughout the entirety of existence. One Song. One Message to all. I feel that message is Love. Love is the Law. Love knows no religion. Love knows no nationality or country border. Love is Love. May we all grow into the Light bearing beings we truly are. May the Divine Light shine upon us all. May it fill our hearts with Love. May we all shine with Light and illuminate the Divine in all that surrounds us. Even one small candle of Light increases the total.