What is Spirituality?
Written by: Sri Madhusudan Sai
Published as part of a weekly series of articles on the bhagavad-gītā in Top Story Newspaper
In the previous article, we learnt that according to the bhagavad-gītā, we are not just physical beings, but also spiritual beings with a divine essence within us. The concept which always confuses most people is that of spirituality. Spirituality refers to the exploration and understanding of our inner self, our connection to the divine, and the pursuit of higher truths and meaning in life. It involves transcending the limitations of the material world and seeking a deeper understanding of our existence –
Why were we born?
What is the goal of life?
What is the purpose of my everyday living – is it only to lead a mundane, busy life filled with paying bills and attending endless meetings?
Or is there a higher purpose to life?
Spirituality is a personal journey that can lead to inner transformation, self-realisation, and a sense of unity with the divine. It is about finding purpose, meaning, and fulfillment, beyond the material realm. Let’s know fully well that everything in this world is temporary. The essence of all spirituality is to develop a desireless state of mind. The fundamental question that follows is that if one is desireless, how can we work in this world? What would be the motivation of such a person to live and act in this world? Well, the scriptures do not discourage us from undertaking action in society. They do not advise us to retire into forests and stay away from everyday living. Instead, they encourage us to cultivate qualities like love, compassion, and detachment to lead this kind of life. Our mind should rise from our personal ideas to the idea of the society, and further to what we must do in our life that will benefit everyone. Spiritual practices such as meditation, self-reflection, and selfless service help us develop these qualities. The moot point, therefore, is how to attain the knowledge or the understanding about the oneness of all, while performing our duties and responsibilities. Afterall, we are all connected and responsible for the happiness of each other.