Spirituality -
In Indian tradition, spirituality
means Adhtayam, that is made of Adhi+Atman. It means complete study
of self. Psychology also claim to study human personality but with all its
sincerity & scientific precision, it has its own limitations. It is
confined to the study of human behavior, cognition, emotion & further
unconscious realm of mind, if we talk about its psycho-analytic aspects.
But Spirituality goes
deeper. Further it talks about Chitta. Whole practice of Yogic
spirituality is based on Chittavriti Nirodha i.e. checking mind at
unconscious depth. And going even further to the center of human personality,
which it claims to be of super conscious nature. It is termed as Higher self or
True self. And it is this realm of human existence which is the center of yogic
meditation & spiritual practices
In Indian tradition
higher Self is not separate from the ultimate reality (God) called in
Upanishads as Brahm. The mahavakyas like – Aymatma brahm,
shivohm, tatvamasi, sacchidanandaohm etc. echoes this highest revelation of
Vedantic wisdom, which identifies the peak of human existence with the
Ultimate truth. Thus spirituality is the integral study of human personality or
existence with all its dimensions – cognitive, emotional, behavioral in its
conscious & unconscious forms with the super conscious aspect as the central
reality.
This quest for
spirituality was called in Upanishads as Brahm vidya. It was clear
conviction of sages that without it all worldly knowledge was incomplete.
In Upanishads the aspirant or disciple after gaining all worldly knowledge used
to gain this supreme wisdom at the feet of illumined Master. All Upanishads are
filled with the discourse on this wisdom. In short spirituality was
called as the Master key to the riddle of human existence. Know thyself, in Western
tradition echoes the same truth.
Traditionally it has been confined to the sanyasins, monks or
the selected few but while living in family & world, how it can be adopted & practiced, has been demonstrated by Pt.
Shri Ram Sharma Acharya - the saint, scholar, philosopher & reformer par excellence. He called it as Jeevan Vidya. In day to day life, he called it Art
of Living. Instituition's monthly spiritual
magazine Akhand Jyoty is publishing scientific & behavioral aspects
of spirituality since 1940.
Need of Spirituality -
In Indian spiritual tradition the real nature of human being is Sat-Chit-Anand (i.e. Existence-knowledge-Bliss). But due to MAYA or veil of ignorance mostly we are not aware of our true nature, identifying our reality with Body-mind-ego complex, which have their own evolutionary functions, manifest in the form of certain Biological and Psychological needs. Humanistic Psychologist Abram Maslow described
them as Biological, Security, Esteem and Love needs. At the end he talks about
spiritual need and call it as Meta need. It can be called as the higher need of
human being. It is the need of Self-actualization, self-realization and God
realization. Even after fulfilling all worldly needs there remains a void.
Spirituality fills this void and gives fulfillment to the human existence.
In short spirituality
can be called as the Master key to the riddle of human existence.
Importance of Spirituality –
1. Checking
the flood of materialistic inflow – In daily life through
media we are getting flood of titillating inflow. If we are not wide awake and resolute
enough with inner conviction, the sensual flood can spin normal life off
the hinges. Spiritual insight checks this disaster to a great extent.
2. Leading
towards personal Integration – Over indulgence in
worldly life gradually disintegrates human personality and afflicts it with so many psychological disorders initially neurotic & later psychotic. Spirituality integrates
the split self and uplifts the person where he/she stands.
3. Awakening
the latent potential & powers – spirituality frees our cognitive, emotional & inner life with unwanted stuff and feed &
nurtures our psychological and spiritual life. Thus awakening out
latent potential, virtues & powers.
4. Excellence
in outer life – Better command over inner self gives
greater power over outer life and ensuring greater success in career & professional
life and thus excellence in outer life.
5. Paving
the way for inner Peace, freedom & joy – Inner &
outer balance definitely relieves us of much stress of life. Thus giving us a sense of deeper fulfillment. Sense
of inner freedom, peace & joy shower from nowhere.
6. Leading
towards Perfection – Spirituality gives us the strength & power to shatter imposed psychological limits. And thus crossing inner limitations one by one spirituality leads
towards inner harmony, peace and perfection.
7. Laying
foundation of peace & harmony – Inner peace &
harmony leads to harmony in family, order in society, harmony in nation. And thus
ensuring peace in the world.
Thus
spirituality is the innermost need of human being; the royal path to the modern man in search
of peace & fulfillment and the solution to the prevalent crisis of values and
moral degradation.
