Miscellaneous - Religion   

Faith and belief

CHENNAI: In this modern day, man is filled with doubts about the existence of God and is a victim of the existential fear of death. When the mind has to advance spiritually, such doubts are the strong hurdles that have to be overcome. Disbelief is like a disease that can turn harmful and external influences easily tend to loosen one’s hold on spirituality.

Realised souls such as Sri Ramakrishna have lived exemplary lives that have inspired many to tread the spiritual path. This preceptor typifies a special brand of democratic spirituality by which he is able to create the faith about the existence of God and enlighten us about the real purpose of life, pointed out Swami Yatatmananda in a lecture. This preceptor’s personal faith was transmitted to his disciples and many during his lifetime began to feel the vibrations of the all pervasive, all powerful and all knowing God.

In whatever form or name one chooses to perceive Him in one’s consciousness, He is ever ready to respond to true devotion. God can be recognised as a true friend by one who is devout and cultivates this Bhava. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna states that it is sincerity in worship that matters, not ostentation. A leaf, a flower or a drop of water offered with devotion is willingly accepted by the Lord. Depending on the exigencies of the respective times, God incarnates to establish Dharma and to punish and destroy the propagators of Adharma.

Faith in God has to take root and go deep into one’s consciousness. The mind is easily distracted and hence has to be kept in control. Only when the mind is ready to accept spiritual truths, can one get initiated into this spiritual fervour constantly. All arguments are based on premises, and likewise, in the spiritual path, faith is necessary.

To Sri Ramakrishna, search for God had to be synthesised in one’s daily routine and not kept apart. He made it clear that all can uphold this and all can attain Moksha. In earlier Yugas meditation and severe penance were mandatory to uphold the truth and keep the mind under control. Mental purity, the prime prerequisite of spiritual practice, is maintained when one is aligned in thought word and deed.

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

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword 9457
Solution to puzzle 9456
Faith and belief
dated February 16, 1959: Agrarian reform
dated February 16, 1959: Promotion of education
dated February 16, 1959: India’s population problem
Weather

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu