The Upanishads say that knowledge is the nectar of the Divine. The
primary goal and purpose of knowledge is to provide continual
inspiration so we may live correctly with the right perspective
and with unwavering faith. Blessed are the lives of those who have
attained knowledge. The final goal of formal education is also the
attainment of knowledge. Learning, scholarship, and initiation are
nothing but different ways of referring to righteous knowledge.
There is nothing left to attain after the attainment of righteous
knowledge. How should we imbibe righteous knowledge? How
should we deepen and further extend it? The following section
attempts to address these questions.
26. FAITH IN A HIGHER POWER
A deep conviction in a Higher Being deters us from straying onto
the wrong path. It also propels the journey of our inner self in the
right direction. For those who believe God to be all powerful and
absolutely just, there is no cover beneath which to hide their wrong
actions. It may be possible to sidestep the punishments of the state
justice system, but there is no escaping divine justice. Those who believe this tenet to be true will be shielded from the wrong path
and they will continually strive to receive divine grace by way of
righteous actions. Theism is a surefire way to happiness and peace,
both in our personal and social lives. Everyone must try to deeply
establish a theistic faith in their heart and mind.
No matter how busy our lives may be, we must spend at least fifteen
minutes meditating on the all powerful and just God, and earnestly
pray that we may be inspired to think and act righteously. We must
do this twice daily, once upon waking up and once before going to
sleep. Every single person must do at least this daily prayer. [ . . . ]
27. SELF-EDUCATION
We must read and reflect on spiritual insights every day. Spiritual
literature provides the indispensable motivation to continually
recreate and mould our lives. Reading is an essential aspect of
practice and it deserves a permanent time slot in our daily routine.
The presence of good thoughts suppresses the bad. Finding good
company may be difficult, however, reading, offers a way to be in
the company of great spiritual thinkers, even after they have passed
away. No one should deprive themselves of this important benefit.
Those who can not read should arrange for others to read to them.
28. LIVING WITH RITUALS
The Hindu religion prescribes many rituals to be performed at
various stages of life and at various times of the year. The purpose
is to instill spiritual values. The energy and enthusiasm pervading
these family celebrations provides a fertile environment for us to
learn and adopt the tenets of a righteous life. An announcement
of the resolution to follow the tenets, in the witness of the Divine
Powers, is an integral step in all Hindu rituals. Inspirations abound
in the steps of rituals such as conception, pregnancy, naming, the
child’s first solids, the start of formal education, initiation to a
spiritual path, marriage, and the preparation for renunciation of
worldly attachments. When performed with devotion, these rituals
have a profound effect on everyone in attendance. [ . . . ]
29. THE MEANINGS OF OUR HOLY DAYS
Holy days help to establish the broader values of society in the same
way that rituals help to establish personal and familial values. Every
holy day has its own ideals and its own message. Proper celebration
of Holy days serves to remind us of our social duties and ideals and it
also energizes and encourages us to fulfill these ideals.
Holidays should be celebrated with the larger community. Their
execution and planning should enthuse and attract general
participation. The community should gather. The wise and elderly
should explain the underlying messages of the familial and social
values. And whenever possible, there should be some real application
and enactment of the message. [ . . . ]
30. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Everyone should celebrate their birthday with friends and family,
bestowing good wishes on them. The celebration should be small
and simple, with time afforded to reflecting on one’s current
life and resolving to infuse the remaining years with more
righteousness. Others should wish the same for us. We should
make every birthday an occasion to deepen the practice of living
with integrity.
31. RESOLUTIONS
A movement of resolutions must be re-kindled, so that we all may
learn to be resolute beings. The most important teaching of this
practice is for us to realize the importance of setting boundaries and
schedules that are necessary both for everyday life and for spiritual
progress. Of course, we must resolve to follow our schedules and
disciplines with deep conviction. These resolutions should span every
aspect of our lives ranging from those that effect what we eat, how
we express physical intimacy, how we earn and spend our money,
how much we give to charity, as well as resolutions that concern our
daily activities such as exercise, waking time, sleeping time, and daily
meditation. A crucial aspect of resolutions is to uproot unhealthy habits and make way for stronger and more powerful expression of
our spiritual selves. Each of us must learn the art of spiritual living
in which we are able to exercise self-control.
32. LET THE TEMPLES BE CENTERS OF INSPIRATION
Temples should be the centers for communicating ethical and
social values. The space dedicated to places of worship should be
used to conduct programs such as night schools, literacy programs,
devotional singing, spiritual discourses, communal celebrations of
festivals and rituals, dispensation of medicine, yoga, and communal
fasting. Those who consider themselves the followers of a temple or
church should donate their time and volunteer to organize and run
its social programs. Serving the community is no less important of
an offering than one’s daily prayers. Those in charge should solicit
participation and donations toward temple programs that serve the
community and not just the statue of the deity.
33. REVIVAL OF THE TRADITION OF SOCIAL SERVICE
We must make efforts to revive the tradition whereby those
who are done fulfilling their familial responsibilities, who are
in retirement, or who have enough for their financial security,
dedicate themselves to serving the wider community. [ . . . ] From
the perspective of creating a New Era, it is essential that we revive
this noble tradition.
Photos
अपने सुझाव लिखे: