Miscellaneous - Religion   

Requisites of spiritual life

CHENNAI SEPT.24 . The root of all human suffering is ignorance about man's spiritual nature. Instead of identifying with the Self a person superimposes his body-mind-intellect personality on the Self and in the process develops various attachments at these levels. Everyone fortunate to be born as a human being must understand that the human personality (body-mind-intellect) is a unique instrument gifted by God to mankind to utilise it for the purpose of attaining liberation from bondage. Self-realisation is possible only for human beings among all God's creations. Without understanding the significance of human birth the majority of people chase materialistic pleasures that the world offers. Besides, they do not seem to be content with worldly pleasures as a feeling of want is there all the time.

A person may be educated and settled in life, yet, he need not be a contented man because this is a state of mind, which cannot be obtained outside but within. Till this truth is understood a person will continue to seek joy and gratification through materialistic pursuits. Can the wise one then instruct the worldly person to correct his attitude and ways? The Gita says categorically, "A wise man established in the Self should not unsettle the mind of the ignorant attached to action, but should get them to perform all their duties, duly performing his duties." So a Self-realised man of wisdom, like King Janaka, must be an exemplar of truth and inspire others to follow in his footsteps but must not impose it on others who are struggling to come to terms with it.

In his discourse, Swami Omkarananda said an individual who had turned to the spiritual path must be clear about the prerequisites of spiritual life. First is the conviction about the goal he wants to achieve. Just as in the case of any worldly objective for which he works with determination, so also, he must be convinced that materialistic pursuits would not give him lasting joy and that he can find it only by realising the Self. Then he must seek the means to gain spiritual knowledge, which is by approaching a preceptor and learning the scriptures. Next is the cultivation of proper attitude to life and discharge of one's duties in the world without attachment to the result. As for knowledge of obligatory duties and conduct one must follow the scriptural injunctions and seek guidance from elders who are conversant with them both in precept and in practice.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Miscellaneous

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Cartoon - I
• The Hindu Crossword 7785
• Solution to puzzle 7784
• Requisites of spiritual life
• dated September 24, 1953: J.R.D. Tata in the U.S.
• dated September 24, 1953: Death Sentence to Continue in Britain
• dated September 24, 1953: Pakistan's Emblem
• dated September 24, 1953: India's Efforts for Nuclear Fuel for Industry
• Weather
• Coming: a film on Ranjit Singh
• Actress wins back domain
• Best buddy movie

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu