A few thoughts on Spirituality, Religion and Us

                                                                                        Image Courtesy: silvieandmaryl.com

This is an attempt to delve into a concept that's always been close to my heart, but not something i get to discuss often with people during day-to-day interactions of our monotonous lives. Of late, i have observed an interesting trend in people updating their Religious views on Facebook (can't deny the fact that people spend more time on Social Networking Sites than face-to-face with loved ones, me included!). From what their profiles read, looks like lots of people are getting to both the extreme ends; one reads "There's no one mightier and greater than God ..." , while another insists "God! 'am an atheist!". A few belong to the popular "Secular" category, who "Believe in the equality of all religions", while there are others who are "Spiritual but not Religious!". Then there are the lot who have got every possible field updated in their profile except his/her Religious views.


To learn how many of us do really understand what Spirituality or Religion actually means would be really interesting. The one thing that I have kind of figured out from interactions with people personally as well as on various Social Networking Sites, these days, is that lots of  girls and guys of my generation think that it's "uncool" to speak or have any positive views about Religion in general. I, personally, after around 3 years of having a profile on a Social Networking Site, updated "Spirituality" as one of my interests one final day, that too, with hours of thought given to whether or not i should be making such an update.


While i have been brought up as a believer of Hinduism, and proud of it, i have always had friends who grew to believe differently. And i have for not once felt threatened, by them speaking proudly about their religion, moreover, have always respected their views. I think the concept of Spirituality comes in over here, it is a culmination of various religious teachings and more. Being spiritual is to know the reason of our existence and that of others around us. It is to know and to practise the way of living that brings the best to oneself as well as the people around. It doesn't matter if you believe in Krishna or Allah or Jesus or the absence of a Supreme Being. Being Spiritual is being human in the best possible way. It is about rising above our mundane  lives and its unpredictabilities. For people who believe in Karma, i.e. to reckon "What goes around, does come around", Spirituality, itself, lies in this belief. That you would get back what you give is not necessarily the way. What you give away could come back to you in a completely transformed manner, now or later, which, one would never recognise or realise.


In my case Spirituality is what i learn from my Religion; that the forms of worship may be infinite, but the Supreme Spirit is One and all you do reaches this Supreme Being. In every being lies the Supreme Spirit, he/she/it be a Monotheist, a Polytheist or an Atheist. The art of respecting and loving everyone and oneself, whether at home, in office or while partying, this is the real understanding of Spirituality.  


Let me end with the Native(American) Indian saying. 
...... everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence.