Importance of Spirituality in Life Compiled from books written by Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Founder...
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Transcript of Importance of Spirituality in Life Compiled from books written by Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Founder...
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