Importance of Spirituality in Life

Compiled from books written by

Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya

Founder All World Gayatri Pariwar

Outline

Understanding SpiritualityScience versus Spirituality Is spirituality a curse?Some misconceptionsWhat is true spirituality?

Its importanceBasic principles

Successes of Science

An endless list:Wealth of knowledge, unraveling mysteries

Disaster management

Means of Communication

Means of Conveyance

Means of Comfort

Medicine and surgery

….

Limitations of Science

All aspects of science deal with matter and physical forms of energy

Cannot answer many questions:Why do we take birth and why do we die?

What is happiness and what is sorrow?

What are feelings and emotions?

What is the tendency to sacrifice for others?

How to solve social problems?

How to transform an ordinary being to a great man?

Science is important but not everything

About Science and SpiritualityTwo aspects of creation:

matter consciousness (‘chetana’/soul)

Two methods of studyScience – study of matter, physical forces/energies that influence matterSpirituality – study of consciousness and its evolution/progress

Is it really so?

Consciousness is superior to matter …

so spirituality must be superior to science!

Comparison of Science and Spirituality

Science

Deals with what can be perceived by sense organs/physical instrumentsScientific method: hypothesis, followed by experiments for verificationWhat is proven by hard evidence is true

Spirituality

Deals with sublime unperceivable concepts like consciousness

Hypotheses cannot be verified in physical terms in any laboratory

Truth known only through self realization!

Comparison of Science and Spirituality

Highly universal: scientific statements have no ambiguity

Science accepted and used by all

Spiritual concepts and methods have huge variations across different sects/religions, even contradictoryIntellectuals have ignored, expressed doubts and ridiculed spirituality

Comparison of Scientists with “Spiritualists”

Scientists Earned success: understood physical matter and energy and used them to reap rich benefits

Earn respect, high positions and wealthContribute to betterment of society through technology development

“Spiritualists”Most are failures: flights of fantasy, magical powers that they cannot demonstrate, talk of concepts that cannot be provenMost are poor, uneducated untalentedMost are dependent on society for even daily needs

Is Spirituality Really Superior?

Or is Spirituality a Curse?

Wastage of time at religious gatheringsand pilgrimages

Wastage of resources on grand occasions

Is Spirituality a Curse?

Vices everywhere!

Fundamentalism

Is Spirituality a Curse?

Religious songs and discourses : a new very popular mode of entertainment!

Is Spirituality a Curse? No!!!

Achievements of truly spiritual persons of past era

Innumerable qualities and great talents.

Supernatural powers

Love and sensitivity for all beings

Blessings could fulfill all wishes

Solutions to all problems of mankind, could create a perfectly harmonious society

Deciphered the hidden forces of Nature

Understood vital spiritual energy (life force-prana)

Endless Contributions of Indian Spiritualists:

Ved Vyas’s LiteratureNagarjuna’s Chemistry, Charak’s Botany, Sushrut’s SurgeryYagyavalkya’s research on YagyaVishwamitra’s Science of MantrasParashuram’s fight for uprooting injustice and vicesDadhichi’s donation of his bones for the construction of vajra Bhagirath’s devout ascetic endeavorPanini’s Sanskrit Grammar Patanjali’s YogaVaiseshik’s Atomic ScienceArjun’s mastery in battlesChanakya’s establishment of NalandaGuiding kings like Ram, Chandragupta Maurya, Rana Pratap, Shivaji.Shankaracharya, Vivekanand and Dayanand’s efforts to restore glory

…

What is Spirituality ?

It is a pathway from smallness to greatnessMethod to attain happiness and fulfillment – self, society, worldIts capability and dignity is much greater than science.Spirituality: establish best qualities into every aspect of one’s lifeProblems are due to misconceptions

Some Misconceptions That Must be Removed

God is a fish that can be enticed!Prayers, offerings, rituals

Lofty desires

Some misconceptions …Spirituality means run away !

Life in solitude

Some misconceptions …

Holy fire (dhuni)

Ash, beards, attire

Strange weapons

Some misconceptions …

Pilgrimage and holy gatherings

Aim of Spirituality

Understand consciousness (research)

Put the understanding to good use!Creating happy and contented lives

Discovering hidden talents

Removing pain and sorrow

Solve social problems

Supernatural powers for benefit of all

Importance of Spirituality

Personal level:Health

Stress

Create harmony with self, family, society

Know purpose of life …

Global levelMaterialism and selfishness – creation of all problems

Spirituality – love, kindness, equality – solution to all the problems

Very Basic Concepts of Spirituality

Basic Principle :Right achievement at the right price – spiritual achievements are reserved only for those who have proven their worth

Promotion

Scholarship

More examples …

More examples …

More examples …

Basic Principle:

Spiritual achievements possible only when we increase our own worth

Understanding our hidden worth

Refining our personalityPurity in beliefs

Purity in thinking

Purity in actions

Understand who we are:

Amazing human body

Understand who we are:Five subtle dimensions of consciousness

Kosh Scientific Name Spiritual Sadhana

Annamaya Hormones & Enzymes

Asan, Bandh

Pranmaya Bio-electricity Pranayam, Mudra

Manomaya Bio-magnetism Dhyan, jap sadhana

Vigyanmaya Neuro-humoral secretions

Soham, Swar Yog, Atma chintan

Anandmaya Reticular activating system

Nad yog, Bindu & Tatva Sadhana

Understand who we are:

Science understands only 7% of capabilities of brain What does the remaining 93 % do?

Contains hidden supernatural powers – superconscious mind

Refining Personality

Why are these powers hidden?Evolution of soul

Two steps to a refined personality

Tap (cleansing) & Yog (instilling good qualities)

Tap (cleansing)

Establishing complete control over selfTap in modern times

Indriya sanyam (control over senses)Arth Sanyam (control over finances)Samay Sanyam (Preventing wastage of time)Vichar Sanyam (learning how to restrain the thinking process)

Yog

Attach oneself to One who represents all the best human qualities

Sincere effort to awaken within ourselves qualities like:

Selflessness

Love towards all

Courage

Independence

Determination …

Create a symbol

Become one with that - Upasana

To conclude -

Science and spirituality – two methods to search for truth

Religious communities have neglected spirituality

Spiritual progress means:Realize we are much more than physical body

Search for ill-tendencies and bad qualities

Remove them with deliberate effort (Tap)

Fill in good qualities (Yog)

Spiritual achievements reserved for those who become worthy and put sincere efforts

References:

Understanding Spirituality:What is Spirituality

Meaning, Purpose and Benefits of Worship

Prepare Yourself to Excel

Jivan Sadhana

Human BodyWonders of Human Bioelectricity

Astonishing Power of Biophysical and Subtle Energies

Manavi Kaya Kitni Vilakshan

Guru Vandana