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Spiritual quest religion

CHENNAI: Spiritual leaders have shown the path of spiritual discipline to enable mankind aspire for that which is permanent rather than get caught in the unstable and unending cycle of birth. The upheavals in one’s life can easily agitate and affect the mind leaving one in a state of hopelessness and despair. To aim for peace of mind is the crux and essence of spiritual quest and Sri Ramakrishna taught the way towards this goal by advocating the value of Sat Sangh or association with the holy, the pious and the devout, pointed out Swami Gautamananda in a lecture. Such association helps us to think of God continuously when we get tied down by worldly distractions.

Practice of austerities such as meditation and concentration can help to purify the mind of its distractions. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita that spiritual discipline is arduous and the means of attaining the goal of God realisation is also very challenging. The Lord stresses on practice and the need to renounce attachment to worldly affairs as absolutely essential for one seeking salvation.

The general tendency to shelve the spiritual quest to a later point of time in one’s life is not advocated because it might not turn out to be effective. A nation that is not prepared for war will be at a loss to cope with the exigencies arising during an outbreak or aggression. In like manner when difficulties strike us, we will be better prepared to face them with courage and fearlessness if the spiritual fervour is cultivated in us. Initiation into the devotional path from early childhood is advised for this can become a habit in due course and help nurture faith.

Though knowledge of worldly matters is essential for us who are a part of this world, this alone is insufficient when it comes to attaining the goal of life. Knowledge of God is the only support and solace to those caught in worldly sorrows and misery. The awareness of God’s infinite presence and His impartial compassion towards all beings should become an integral aspect in our understanding. By repeatedly focusing on this awareness one slowly gains the conviction about it. From conviction springs faith. Faith in God is the greatest hope for mankind.

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