Speaking Tree - Building Spiritual Capital for Happiness

Speaking Tree - Building Spiritual Capital for Happiness:

Spiritual awareness is an important component in human development. Spirituality is relating to a higher Power that is benevolent and good. Emotional people tend to align with a personal god. Intellectuals think of a transcendental Being that pervades the universe and beyond. Children are born with a natural sense of the spiritual. Lisa Miller, psychologist, says spiritual awareness surges in adolescence. Teenagers commonly feel a loss of meaning, confidence and identity. Some try to fill the void with alcohol and drugs.

A few cultivate their spiritual instincts.

According to Miller’s research, adolescents with a strong connection to the transcendental are 80 percent less likely to engage in substance abuse. A strong spiritual sense protects against depression. Not everyone is born intelligent, has high IQ or access to education and wealth. But everyone has the Spirit in equal measure. Once you tap into the Spirit you soar above shortcomings and achieve perfection. This vast resource in human beings has been totally neglected.

In ancient India, everyone was exposed to spiritual knowledge at age seven. This led to the unique rajarishis or king-sages who were kingly externally but sagely within. When they lost their spiritual wealth they lost their kingdoms! Spiritual values will empower people and give them a sense of direction. Their talent and energies will be used positively. Yet, there is little attempt at cultivating this most important advantage. Sages prescribed different paths to the Spirit to suit varied natures of people.

The spiritual journey begins with an understanding of the world, the individual and the technique of right contact with the world. It helps gain success, happiness and spiritual evolution. The world is made of pairs of opposites. Pleasure-pain, joy-sorrow and honour-dishonour are all inherent features of the world. Do you ride over them or succumb to their influence? The world is in a constant flux of unpredictable change. It would be foolish to depend on the world. Even the mighty ocean liner is rocked by the waves because it rests on them.

A lighthouse is unaffected as it is anchored to the ocean bed. You may live in the world, enjoy its resources and transact with it but do not depend on it. Only the Spirit is dependable. Connect with it. Marvel at it. And the same world that is now traumatising you will become enjoyable. The smokescreen of desire prevents you from realising your own magnificence and grandeur. You know only the body, mind and intellect. Rise above their limitations to experience the power, serenity and bliss of Atman, your real Self.

   To be spiritual you only have to change your thinking. Do not give up your business or family. Just discard foolish concepts and false notions. Shift from an attitude of taking to that of giving. Think of how you can add value to others, give, contribute, serve; you will receive much more in return. Grab you lose, give you gain. You will be happy and grow spiritually. At the emotional level, replace hatred, separateness and disgust with understanding, love and oneness. People will work with you, yielding success.

You will be happy and desires will reduce. Intellectually, focus on the permanent. You will gain clarity and sharpness which will bring success and happiness. You will grow into a towering personality.