Seeking a genuine path
We tend to get confused with all the synonyms used for
religious expressions. There is not much of a difference between understanding
the connotations of rituals and ceremonies. An initiation into a certain
spiritual path is confused with religious stigmatism. Topics related with
spiritual enhancement are then made to be seen in the light of blinding
superstition. What then is the genuine path for a seeker of truth? What is the
way to truly realize the nature of Divinity in our lives?
A whirlpool within a whirlpool, the torrid currents of the
media influence, the hunger of guru kin ship and the mere disbelief, that there
is any true benefit acquired, have become the greatest hindrances for us,
preventing us from following a true spiritual path. The fear and confusion
related with all the worldly cacophonic opinions, totally confusing the nuances
of spirituality with religious paraphernalia.
As this movement heightens into another level of collective
criticism – It gains the momentum of thousands compromising on the interest of
those few who may be genuinely interested to follow a truer path. The hatred of
collective, targets the very core of our religious beliefs. It’s not the
religion that has made things bad; it’s the people who have manipulated its
purer cause to serve their selfish greedy motives. Such a drastic situation
almost scares away the possibility of those who desire the revelation of a truer
direction and experience in life.
India today has touched the pinnacle of such religious
conflicts. There are no conflicts in a truer sense in religion. The truth of
any religion is to bring us to an end of conflicts not to their advent. Understanding of universal Love is no
conflict; appreciation of mutual differences is no conflict. Why then have we
become a society of hate breeders? Religion was created for man to understand
his spiritual reality. To become awakened to his truer self. Spirituality is
the purpose, religion is the means, and realization is the end. We have
forgotten our purpose and got stuck - hating the means without realizing the
end. Such is the trauma of a world that claims to live with a better quality of
life but a poorer understanding without the finesse of mutual acceptance.
Hatred breeds hatred, and love breeds love. If we are to
make this world a better place how can we do so by breeding hatred for
everything that we are to truly love? Man was not made for religion. Religion
was made for man. But it was to serve a purpose of enhancing lives with the
enrichment of Truth, Love, Beauty, Understanding, and develop compassionate
hearts - Hearts that understand the purpose of life and its existence.
Spirituality is the process of this revelation, and self- realization of this
truth is the goal.
It is important for truth seekers to understand this and not
be swayed by the stormy currents of opinion arising in this world. We have to
remain focused and true to our path, we have to consider our own experience and
take only that which is true and factual. Critical Judgment comes easy but when
love unfolds, it generally comes through a breakthrough from a painful
understanding. Sometimes existence offers us a chance to recognize this love,
but it can only be realized through unasked humility. In short, the humbler the
mind becomes the easier it is to live in love. We can surely blame this world
for not realizing love, and blame ourselves in too for not realizing that love
within ourselves, but this blame game goes nowhere and lands us back to the
initial point, this is where we have to consider if our movement has to be a
genuine one or just allow it to pass by as another event unfolding in our
lives.
A true seeker is the meek servant of the Heart. He beckons
not to the whirlwinds swaying in this world. A light that has sparked within,
lights up the path of the dark voyage. The burden is borne by the soul that
seeks its enlightenment and fights until the end. Victory is for such a blessed
one, victory is his. This life has offered such a rare blessing of the Almighty
unseen glance. Don’t hold back yourself, don’t let the doubts arise; don’t let
the foolish wolves bite. The day when we see all this as a false illusion, we
will tear apart from this world of delusion, victory will be ours to shine in,
and in the embrace of the divine we dive in. The world will perish as a sand
castle swept by water. We build again, another, just for our laughter.
Shyam Lala
Tiruvannamalai
14 Sept 2013
