Democracy & Spirituality Are Quite Similar
I and the US recently said that the world's two largest democracies must work together. Togetherness is also domain of spirituality Democracy implies sovereign, socialist and secular republic as pledged in the preamble to the Constitution of India. Does spirituality have anything to do with these terms? Are there common denominators between democracy and spirituality? Sovereignty is common to both democracy and spirituality. While the former refers to sovereign power of the state, spirituality refers to infinite power of the innermost Self, Atman, when it is freed from the limiting adjuncts of body, mind and intellect (BMI). The ideal of socialism is common to both. While democracy is to listen to all, following the voice of the majority and working for common welfare, spirituality refers to listening to all, following the Self with or without the help of a guru and working for Self-evolution. The difference is in approach rather than the end. In democracy, welfare of people and humanity is primary and one's own welfare comes next. This is also true of a profession where altruism or unselfish concern for well-being of society is a primary goal and one's own pecuniary gain takes a back seat. A professional is entitled to a decent income to meet with this objective. The process is rather reverse in spirituality where a person first becomes introvert and looks for identification of Supreme reality as a source of peace and bliss in Self by seeking isolation and quiet. As one advances in spiritual practices, the little 'i' confined to BMI expands to objects and beings in one's surroundings and eventually includes all entities in creation. Such an enlightened person experience oneness of existence with the whole of creation. His every thought, word and action is therefore spontaneously directed to universal welfare. The Bhagwad Gita describes this as 'Sarva bhuta hiterataha'. Ramana Maharshi held that your own Self-realisation is the greatest service you can render the world. In democracy, the elected leader administers whereas in spirituality, Divinity present in us is the 'antaryamin'. If the leader is philanthropic and dedicated, he harnesses resources of the statejudiciously and brings equality, justice, liberty and fraternity to the people. Likewise, when pure Self characterised by sat, chit and ananda leads the individual, the result is peace and bliss. he idesi of secularismalso means non-interference of state in the practice of religion and equal respect to all religions ('sarva dharma samabhava') and freedom to practice one's chosen religion. As we evolve, religious practice maturespiritual practice. Ramakrishna Paramhansa not only respected areligions but also attained realisathe Supreme by devoutly practisidifferent faiths like Hinduism, Isand Christianity. This is because reached the pinnacle of spiritualby transcending all differences. Srism and spirituality complemenother and are not contradictory. Sway of life strengthens one's spiroutlook and vice versa. The ultimate goal of democraand spirituality is search of truthDemocracy and for that matter scaim at relative truth with a top doapproachwhereas spirituality aiabsolute truth and follows the botapproach. If you are an extrovertfor the former and if you are an introvert, follow the latter.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Jayant B Dave kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy : Jayant B Dave Speaking Tree,Times of India
Democracy & Spirituality Are Quite Similar
I and the US recently said that the world's two largest democracies must work together. Togetherness is also domain of spirituality Democracy implies sovereign, socialist and secular republic as pledged in the preamble to the Constitution of India. Does spirituality have anything to do with these terms? Are there common denominators between democracy and spirituality? Sovereignty is common to both democracy and spirituality. While the former refers to sovereign power of the state, spirituality refers to infinite power of the innermost Self, Atman, when it is freed from the limiting adjuncts of body, mind and intellect (BMI). The ideal of socialism is common to both. While democracy is to listen to all, following the voice of the majority and working for common welfare, spirituality refers to listening to all, following the Self with or without the help of a guru and working for Self-evolution. The difference is in approach rather than the end. In democracy, welfare of people and humanity is primary and one's own welfare comes next. This is also true of a profession where altruism or unselfish concern for well-being of society is a primary goal and one's own pecuniary gain takes a back seat. A professional is entitled to a decent income to meet with this objective. The process is rather reverse in spirituality where a person first becomes introvert and looks for identification of Supreme reality as a source of peace and bliss in Self by seeking isolation and quiet. As one advances in spiritual practices, the little 'i' confined to BMI expands to objects and beings in one's surroundings and eventually includes all entities in creation. Such an enlightened person experience oneness of existence with the whole of creation. His every thought, word and action is therefore spontaneously directed to universal welfare. The Bhagwad Gita describes this as 'Sarva bhuta hiterataha'. Ramana Maharshi held that your own Self-realisation is the greatest service you can render the world. In democracy, the elected leader administers whereas in spirituality, Divinity present in us is the 'antaryamin'. If the leader is philanthropic and dedicated, he harnesses resources of the statejudiciously and brings equality, justice, liberty and fraternity to the people. Likewise, when pure Self characterised by sat, chit and ananda leads the individual, the result is peace and bliss. he idesi of secularismalso means non-interference of state in the practice of religion and equal respect to all religions ('sarva dharma samabhava') and freedom to practice one's chosen religion. As we evolve, religious practice maturespiritual practice. Ramakrishna Paramhansa not only respected areligions but also attained realisathe Supreme by devoutly practisidifferent faiths like Hinduism, Isand Christianity. This is because reached the pinnacle of spiritualby transcending all differences. Srism and spirituality complemenother and are not contradictory. Sway of life strengthens one's spiroutlook and vice versa. The ultimate goal of democraand spirituality is search of truthDemocracy and for that matter scaim at relative truth with a top doapproachwhereas spirituality aiabsolute truth and follows the botapproach. If you are an extrovertfor the former and if you are an introvert, follow the latter.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Jayant B Dave kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy : Jayant B Dave Speaking Tree,Times of India