BY KUMUDHA VENKATESAN
Growing up in a moderately religious family in Bengaluru, I was confused and overwhelmed whenever I thought about God. Seeing the faith and devotion to God in my family and society at large compelled me to have blind faith in God. I often wondered why there was so much suffering on Earth even though there was a powerful God. I felt weird when folks were singing bhajans in temples. I felt that precious time was being wasted when elaborate pooja rituals were performed, as I simply didn’t understand the profound benefits of these vibrant religious rituals.
Everything changed when I had a profoundly comforting experience from the Divine after my father passed away nearly a decade ago. When my world came to a standstill, a Bhagavad Gita shloka, “The Soul is neither born, nor does it ever die; nor, having once existed, does it ever cease to be. The Soul is without birth, eternal, immortal, and ageless. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed,” became a source of extraordinary hope, faith, and unconditional love from the universe.
I started my spiritual journey, and now every day I am empowered to do the right thing and be compassionate, non-judgmental, and empathetic toward myself and others. Spirituality has given me immense strength to face all kinds of challenges gracefully and lead a peaceful life, even in these uncertain times. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a spiritual legend, says, “The knowledge that unites love and wisdom, that uplifts the spirit, is spirituality. The knowledge that gives you a broad vision and a big heart is spirituality.”
Peace-loving people agree when Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “We need to move from religion to spirituality. Spirituality unites people of all religions.” The quality of life becomes beautiful and meaningful when spirituality is integrated into daily life. I wholeheartedly agree when Swami Vivekananda proclaims, “Spiritual knowledge is the only one that can destroy our miseries forever; any other knowledge satisfies wants only for a time.”
Today, spirituality has helped me and millions of others lead lives filled with mindfulness, empathy, and love. Here are three amazing reasons to start your spiritual journey today.
1. Spirituality Calms the Mind
Religious rituals—everything from the Rosary to chanting japa, and from lighting candles to saying grace—tilt the mind toward calmness and peace, which is essentially spirituality. Devout Sikhs keep chanting “Wahe Guru” in their minds, and many Buddhists chant “Om Mani Padme Hum” for peace.
Studies have shown that human beings can have 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts in a day, and most of these thoughts are negative, inducing everything from stress to fear. Thoughts are powerful, and I wholeheartedly agree when Swami Vivekananda says, “We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care of what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.”
My friend Mary is always calm and composed, and she has been saying the Rosary with deep faith ever since she was a teenager. Archbishop Fulton Sheen says, “The Rosary is the best therapy for these distraught, unhappy, fearful, and frustrated souls, precisely because it involves the simultaneous use of three powers: the physical, the vocal, and the spiritual, in that order.”
Every day, I feel empowered after chanting “Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya” for five minutes. I feel peaceful and filled with inner courage to tackle all kinds of challenges as I visualize the most beautiful Himalayan mountains.
Thousands of Sanskrit mantras that have been recited for millions of years are the epitome of powerful positive energy, giving inner strength, courage, and hope. Today, millions of people inclined toward yoga chant the universal sound, “Om,” and feel energized and peaceful throughout the day.
Paramahansa Yogananda says, “Om (Aum) is the basis of all sounds. The Aum of the Vedas became the sacred word Hum of the Tibetans, Amin of the Muslims, Amen of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Jews, and Christians. Aum is the all-pervading sound emanating from the invincible cosmic vibration.”
Dr. David Frawley, a renowned spiritual teacher, says, “Mantras are spiritually energized sound patterns designed to link us to the Divine world or cosmic creative vibration. They help purify and silence the mind to allow for deep meditation.”
Paramahansa Yogananda, in Scientific Healing Affirmations, says, “Always avoid mechanical repetition. Repeat firmly and with intensity and sincerity until such power is gained that one command, one strong urge from yourself, would be sufficient to change your body cells or move your soul to the performance of miracles.” He also says, “Realize calmly that the Divine Law works and is all-powerful only when you do not shut it out by doubt or disbelief.”
2. Spirituality Makes Life Meaningful
Many people across the world love helping and volunteering in hospitals, orphanages, schools, and refugee camps. People who volunteer selflessly wholeheartedly agree when Deepak Chopra says, “When you express your unique talents and use them in the service of humanity, you create abundance in your life and the lives of others.”
All religions ardently teach that helping the needy is like praying to God. It is interesting to learn that 2.1 billion people volunteer every month for the welfare of communities across the world.
In the Bible, 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.”
I feel so good when I volunteer at nonprofit organizations. Aristotle, the father of Western philosophy, said, “What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.” Hinduism says, “Service to humanity is service to God,” emphasizing that God is in every living creature and also in nature.
Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, founder of Hinduism Today magazine, says, “Giving is essential for spiritual unfoldment, for until we give and give abundantly, we don’t really realize that we are not the giver; we are just a channel for giving.”
For me, spirituality is all about being an optimistic person with noble virtues such as volunteering, forgiveness, compassion, self-control, empathy, and acceptance.
Paramahansa Yogananda, in Scientific Healing Affirmations, says, “True freedom consists of doing things—eating, reading, helping, etc.—in accordance with right judgment and choice of will, not in being compelled by habits.” He also says, “Eat what you should eat and not necessarily what you are used to. Do what you ought to do, not what your habits dictate.”
The noble virtue of self-control has immensely helped me eat healthy foods, avoid gossip, and use my time productively.
3. Spirituality Brings Happiness, Success, and Positivity
Every human being desires to be happy, and spirituality is a powerful tool that helps the mind tackle all kinds of challenges pleasantly.
Swami Vivekananda says, “Spiritual knowledge is the only thing that can destroy our miseries forever; any other knowledge satisfies wants only for a time.”
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “A formula for happiness: smile, serve, and meditate. Meditation brings inner strength, service brings merit, and smiling keeps you sane.”
As I am extremely happy and content in my life, I strongly believe that spiritual knowledge is the source of my lasting happiness. I feel good when I practice noble virtues such as kindness and forgiveness every day.
Lao Tzu, a legendary Chinese philosopher, says, “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”
Striving to follow Yama and Niyama, two important limbs of yoga, enables a person to lead an ethical and peaceful life in this challenging world.
Yama consists of Ahimsa (non-harming), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (moderation), and Aparigraha (non-greed). Niyama consists of Saucha (purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (discipline), Svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishwara Pranidhana (surrender to the Higher Self or the Universe).
A sense of emotional balance, brimming with self-confidence and calmness, grows while following Yama and Niyama every day.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s words, “Purity in heart, clarity in mind, sincerity in action, and contentment is the formula for happiness,” resonate in my mind when I strive to follow Yama and Niyama every moment.
People who are content and happy agree when Paramahansa Yogananda says, “Making others happy through kindness of speech and sincerity of right advice is a sign of true greatness. To hurt another soul by sarcastic words, looks, or suggestions is despicable.”
I have read a lot about religions, and I have noticed that all religions stem from a Divine source brimming with love for all, humility, truth, empathy, and compassion.
An ancient Indian text says, “Eight flowers which God loves dearly are Ahimsa (non-violence), sense control, self-control, compassion for all beings, spiritual knowledge, meditation, and righteousness.”
Over the past few years, millions of people have moved away from organized religion and want to experience the Eternal Truth. Our world would be brimming with peace and love if everyone began this beautiful spiritual journey.
Rumi’s words, “Don’t be satisfied with stories of how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth,” resonate with me as I imagine everyone exploring the magnificence of spirituality.
