SPIRITUALITY IS A CHOICE - Frozen Thoughts - Jan 2012

SPIRITUALITY IS A CHOICE

The happiest men and women are those who fuse, integrate spirituality into their daily life. - 

Dada _I P Vaswani

People are awed by the miracles of science as much as they are fascinated by the powers of spirituality. Science is the discovery of nature's laws: while spirituality is the discovery of the Self.

 

In the final analysis, both are discoveries; both are an experience of 'awareness'. Our rishis had this 'awareness'; they gained spiritual knowledge through intuition. Spirituality makes us raise the fundamental question: "What is man?" Or, to put it more personally, "What am I?" It is precisely this self-knowledge that our youth must seek, in order to find true fulfilment.

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all these things shall be added unto you," said Jesus Christ.

 

Spirituality does not mean turning your back on life; it is not renunciation or asceticism; it is not running away from the problems of life. It is the source of courage and inner strength that will enable you to take on life's challenges in the awareness that you are a spark of divinity; that within you is a shakti that is of the Infinite! Gurudev Sadhu Vaswani told us: "The noblest work is to cultivate the soul."

 

The Gita too tells us that man is not the body he wears, but essentially the Spirit, the atman within. How can we connect with the soul? How can we promote our spiritual well-being?

 

Make God a reality in your life. Make Him a friend a partner, a guide, a guardian, a parent, and invite him to watch over all that you do.

 

Spend a little time in prayer, in introspection and in silent communion with God. Realise the value of the present moment - the here and the now. Realise that this moment is God's greatest gift to you.

 

Do not live for yourself alone; for, that will make life small and selfish. Learn to live for others and you will find that life blooms like a beautifil flower! Do not wait for old age to begin to practice your spirituality! The happiest men and womed are those who fuse, integrate spirituality into their daily life.

 

True spirituality is not a matter of indoctrination. It cannot be inspired by compulsion. You are free to enquire into its principles. You must be convinced of their truth, before you accept them. The laws of life are inviolable. They need no defenders, no patrons, and no protectors. Each one of us must reach the Highest by our own free choice. This is the great truth taught to us in the ancient scriptures of India.

 

In the Gita, after Lord Krishna has passed on many truths concerning life to His dear devoted disciple Arjuna, He finally tells him:

 

"I have declared the truths to you; you must go and reflect upon these teachings and do as you choose."