Miscellaneous - Religion   

Seek eternal values

CHENNAI: The Rig Veda states, “Truth is one but sages call it by many names.”

In matters of spiritual quest, knowledge of God is the first step that helps one to move forward. Scriptures and preceptors are the valuable sources for this purpose.

While living in this world it is difficult to renounce worldly objects and get involved in spiritual quest. Sri Ramakrishna warned his disciples to be wary of lust and greed that easily tie down individuals to worldly life and prevent any kind of spiritual progress, said Swami Gautamananda in a lecture.

This preceptor was a living example of whatever he taught and in this way was highly influential and inspirational to his devotees. He undertook to understand the method of the many religions and schools of philosophic thought to impress upon his disciples the truth of his mystical realisation.

He was of the firm conviction that the various religions are different ways to reach God and he also made it clear that the absolute and ultimate reality cannot be expressed in human terms.

To overcome the attractions of material wealth and the pleasures of the world, Sri Ramakrishna advised his disciples to develop the acumen by which one could assess the true value of the objects of the world. By looking upon all women as the very manifestation of the Divine Mother, one could hope to overcome lust. By training to be content with whatever is necessary and by restraining one’s desires, one could hope to overcome greed.

By understanding the true value of things one will slowly realise that the truth of God is the only thing to be pursued and will gradually relinquish the desire for worldly objects that are only very temporary. When the self within the body is realised as immortal one begins to work for its welfare rather than nurture the body.

Sensual desires, evil passions, greed, lust, cruelty, etc., that keep the world system on lower planes of consciousness have to be overcome with the help of knowledge of God and truth. These are the basis of spiritual virtues, enlightenment, kindness, purity, love, devotion, etc., that elevate human beings to higher planes of consciousness.

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