Learn the Science of Meditation with Swami Paramananda
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Tuesday 17 August 2010
'From Sex to Cosmic Consciousness' - secrets revealed by Swami Paramananda
'From Sex to Cosmic Consciousness' - secrets revealed by Swami Paramananda
Only £27 (buy ONE get ONE FREE)
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Only £27 (buy ONE get ONE FREE)
All Proceeds go to Charity.
Friday 6 August 2010
What Do The Scriptures Say?
“The purpose of scriptures is to make sincere seekers of Truth realise that the reality of man, God and the Universe lies beyond the lines of the scriptures.”
By Swami Paramananda
Scriptures take birth when a master, who is a God-realised being, a prophet or an incarnation, teaches so as to lead ardent seekers on the path of Truth. Truth, however, cannot be expressed in words. Devices must be found which can help the disciple to reflect deeply. When asked by Pontius Pilate, “What is truth?” Jesus kept silent. If Pilate were a seeker of Truth, maybe he would have understood the message. Sometimes, the master answers with his being, his silence does the work. That, of course, will depend on the mental evolution of the disciple.
Scriptures have been given by different prophets in different regions of the planet. Though fundamentally they teach the same truth, they vary in approach. There are a few reasons for that. In the first place, the level of evolution is not the same everywhere. Jesus spoke in parables to lead people to discover the truth by themselves. If he told them the truth directly, they would run the risk of completely misunderstanding him because of the loftiness of the teachings. There is also the probability that those who receive such teachings can become blind followers if they do not make any effort on their part to realise these. If they are curious enough, a parable is bound to provoke reflection. This will inevitably lead to the unfolding of their thinking faculty.
Furthermore, it is only direct experience that makes one become intelligent and an authority on the subject that has been meditated upon. Osho (Rajneesh) says, “I use word to bring you beyond words.” Enlightenment is a state beyond words. Masters use ways and means that they find most convenient to teach people. However, language, as we all know, is a very limited means of communication – error, misunderstanding and distortion are bound to take place. However, the misunderstanding or distortion will always come from the hearer. The reason is that he vibrates on a completely different plane. People are always living in a world of their own, with 95.5% of layers of unconsciousness veiling their mind. They will listen only to that which will not shatter their dreams. Masters use words to awaken the listener, their aim is not to make people knowledgeable.
Enlightenment is awakening from unconsciousness to consciousness. The means used by different masters may vary, but the aim is basically the same. Also, people should not be disturbed by truths that are beyond their mental capacity. Do not disturb the mind of others. The sleepwalker should not be brought back to the normal state abruptly – this may disturb his brain. Spiritual masters, mystics and prophets bring a message from the Beyond. They are witnesses to a reality that is beyond the grasp of the eyes and the mind. In short, they channel a mystery that is expressed and received only in silence.
Society lives according to certain norms and has a standard by which it can judge whether someone is right or wrong. These norms are products of unconsciousness, they are carbon copies. The virtues displayed by people in society are used to cover up their vices. People are sleepwalkers and because the virtues are not spontaneous, natural and motivated by the energy of Pure Consciousness, the vices of the unconsciousness cannot be suppressed for long. The result is crime, incest, violence, war and others – you can consult the media. One whose sleep of unconsciousness has been broken is moved by the plight of people. The awakened one wants to help others to attain enlightenment as well, since he knows that they all form part of the same sublime substance.
Buddha used to say, “I am pointing to the moon, but you are looking at my finger.” This has happened throughout the ages and is still happening in all religions. People are looking at the fingers of the prophets instead of focusing their attention in the direction towards which the fingers are pointing. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you,” and people are still thinking of a kingdom with a king and things related to it.
Religion is both theory and practice. Knowledge and rituals should be made alive by experiencing the reality to which they point. Ganga Snan celebrated by the Hindus opens the mind towards the lofty realities of delving into the ocean of the soul. It points towards the dip in the holy water of the Spirit within, which gives complete purification and thus relaxation. The seven dips represent the seven stages through which the mind has to pass before attaining complete purification. Today, most people are lost in the ritual and even seize the opportunity to transform the ceremony into a material event.
Scriptures are divine. They reveal through symbols, parables, codices and techniques, the way to attain liberation from all forms of suffering. Misinterpretation and negligence have already cost humanity a lot of suffering. So many wars have been waged in the name of religion. Corruption, bribery, ego-trip have invaded the purity of religion and the scriptures. There have been instances when people with crooked minds have twisted the truth of the scriptures for their own selfish ends. But the time has come when, as Jesus said, “That which was hidden will be exposed in its nakedness.” There are a few great souls who have already taken birth for this purpose.
Scriptures have been given by different prophets in different regions of the planet. Though fundamentally they teach the same truth, they vary in approach. There are a few reasons for that. In the first place, the level of evolution is not the same everywhere. Jesus spoke in parables to lead people to discover the truth by themselves. If he told them the truth directly, they would run the risk of completely misunderstanding him because of the loftiness of the teachings. There is also the probability that those who receive such teachings can become blind followers if they do not make any effort on their part to realise these. If they are curious enough, a parable is bound to provoke reflection. This will inevitably lead to the unfolding of their thinking faculty.
Furthermore, it is only direct experience that makes one become intelligent and an authority on the subject that has been meditated upon. Osho (Rajneesh) says, “I use word to bring you beyond words.” Enlightenment is a state beyond words. Masters use ways and means that they find most convenient to teach people. However, language, as we all know, is a very limited means of communication – error, misunderstanding and distortion are bound to take place. However, the misunderstanding or distortion will always come from the hearer. The reason is that he vibrates on a completely different plane. People are always living in a world of their own, with 95.5% of layers of unconsciousness veiling their mind. They will listen only to that which will not shatter their dreams. Masters use words to awaken the listener, their aim is not to make people knowledgeable.
Enlightenment is awakening from unconsciousness to consciousness. The means used by different masters may vary, but the aim is basically the same. Also, people should not be disturbed by truths that are beyond their mental capacity. Do not disturb the mind of others. The sleepwalker should not be brought back to the normal state abruptly – this may disturb his brain. Spiritual masters, mystics and prophets bring a message from the Beyond. They are witnesses to a reality that is beyond the grasp of the eyes and the mind. In short, they channel a mystery that is expressed and received only in silence.
Society lives according to certain norms and has a standard by which it can judge whether someone is right or wrong. These norms are products of unconsciousness, they are carbon copies. The virtues displayed by people in society are used to cover up their vices. People are sleepwalkers and because the virtues are not spontaneous, natural and motivated by the energy of Pure Consciousness, the vices of the unconsciousness cannot be suppressed for long. The result is crime, incest, violence, war and others – you can consult the media. One whose sleep of unconsciousness has been broken is moved by the plight of people. The awakened one wants to help others to attain enlightenment as well, since he knows that they all form part of the same sublime substance.
Buddha used to say, “I am pointing to the moon, but you are looking at my finger.” This has happened throughout the ages and is still happening in all religions. People are looking at the fingers of the prophets instead of focusing their attention in the direction towards which the fingers are pointing. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you,” and people are still thinking of a kingdom with a king and things related to it.
Religion is both theory and practice. Knowledge and rituals should be made alive by experiencing the reality to which they point. Ganga Snan celebrated by the Hindus opens the mind towards the lofty realities of delving into the ocean of the soul. It points towards the dip in the holy water of the Spirit within, which gives complete purification and thus relaxation. The seven dips represent the seven stages through which the mind has to pass before attaining complete purification. Today, most people are lost in the ritual and even seize the opportunity to transform the ceremony into a material event.
Scriptures are divine. They reveal through symbols, parables, codices and techniques, the way to attain liberation from all forms of suffering. Misinterpretation and negligence have already cost humanity a lot of suffering. So many wars have been waged in the name of religion. Corruption, bribery, ego-trip have invaded the purity of religion and the scriptures. There have been instances when people with crooked minds have twisted the truth of the scriptures for their own selfish ends. But the time has come when, as Jesus said, “That which was hidden will be exposed in its nakedness.” There are a few great souls who have already taken birth for this purpose.
By Swami Paramananda
The Truth behind Idol and Image Worship
Before commenting on the subject of idol worship, I would like to mention a few things that may help you to grasp the subtle truth behind such a practice. Osho makes mention of a certain Doctor Frank Rudolph who wanted to know about a certain practice performed by an African tribe. What he discovered among those people is that they would make a statue of a particular person using mud. Then if they have to cure that person of any illness, they would touch the appropriate part of the statue and the person would recover. In the same way, they could also cause any illness in that person if they so wished by touching a particular point on the image. This practice is called voodoo.
This may sound incredible to most rational people but it is possible indeed and experience has proved it. How is this possible? When the statue is being moulded or the picture is being drawn, the image of the said person should be brought at the third eye. And if one’s mind is totally focused at this point, it can be done without the medium of a statue or an image. Distance healing is based on a similar principle. Thought waves are very subtle, they can be transferred at incredible speed through space. This can be performed with willpower. After all, existence is homogeneous. In a state of silence all psychological barriers are broken.
Coming to idol worship, let it be very clear that if worship stops at the statue or the picture, then it is idolatry. The truth, however, is that idols are a means to reach the formless aspect of God. Form is used as a means to reach the formless. Many people talk about praying or worshiping directly, but this is impossible – no one can make it. Whether it is a mosque, a temple, a scripture, rites, rituals, prayers, meditation techniques, a prophet or a guru, all are forms and only means to reach the formless. Yes, it is absolutely true that people stagnate with idolatry, thus missing the opportunity to experience the formless.
Though there is absolutely no barrier between God and man, the latter has built many barriers, the very first one being man himself. Then in between also come his beliefs, conditionings, emotions, thoughts, scriptures and so on. Mind is form and thus limited, how then can it conceive the formless? Any conception will be a form. One of the Ten Commandments is, “Thou shalt not make any image of God.” The commandment is from Moses. During his time, people were blinded by idol worship; they were doing it irrationally. It was not used as an experiment to attain enlightenment but as an egoistical practice for personal satisfaction, out of fear and other reasons. Therefore the commandment was necessary. In ancient India, the mystics had discovered it as a means to reach the formless.
I had a friend who belonged to a religion that prohibits image worship. One day I asked the fellow, “How do you pray, I mean, how do you conceive God?” “I think of Jesus or God directly” was the answer. “But,” I said, “if you think of Jesus, it is nothing but your imagination, meaning you are worshipping your thought.” And for that matter, the images of Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu and so on are our own creation! Even the science of meditation is based on practices where form plays an important part. While meditation itself is the formless aspect of our being, the methods that lead to it are nothing but means based on forms. Though there are many subtle methods like watching the breath, the thought process, nevertheless they all have to do with certain forms – though subtle, still they are forms.
Only the enlightened beings have transcended all forms and thus dwell in the formless. Kabir has said, “I dwell in the formless and I sing the glory of the form.” But for him, form was the whole existence. Even a great master like Ramakrishna had to pass through the form aspect of God before realising Him. His realisation is an example of the efficiency of image worship to reach the formless. There have been many other such cases; I have myself experienced form. However, worship and prayer are methods for those on the path of devotion. Those on the path of knowledge, here I am not referring to bookish knowledge, will use this method as a means. I would like to make it clear that apart from someone who has attained enlightenment, everyone is an idolater.
If we can focus on an enlightened being with concentration, receptivity and love, then he can become a door to the formless. An enlightened one is a door because the person or the ego is not there, only God is. Here it is good to quote Kabir, “When I was, that is, when the ego or the lower self was, then the Lord was absent. Now I am not, the Lord is.” Jesus has said, “No one comes to the Father but by me.” Krishna said, “Shanti ka sidha marg mein houn,” meaning “I am the direct way to peace.” Through the form of the blessed one, we can easily enter into the meditative state, which is nothing but the state of godliness. Masters who have trodden this earth still have their field of vibration somewhere in space and by concentrating on any one of them, we can attract his energy upon us, which can lead us to meditation.
This may sound incredible to most rational people but it is possible indeed and experience has proved it. How is this possible? When the statue is being moulded or the picture is being drawn, the image of the said person should be brought at the third eye. And if one’s mind is totally focused at this point, it can be done without the medium of a statue or an image. Distance healing is based on a similar principle. Thought waves are very subtle, they can be transferred at incredible speed through space. This can be performed with willpower. After all, existence is homogeneous. In a state of silence all psychological barriers are broken.
Coming to idol worship, let it be very clear that if worship stops at the statue or the picture, then it is idolatry. The truth, however, is that idols are a means to reach the formless aspect of God. Form is used as a means to reach the formless. Many people talk about praying or worshiping directly, but this is impossible – no one can make it. Whether it is a mosque, a temple, a scripture, rites, rituals, prayers, meditation techniques, a prophet or a guru, all are forms and only means to reach the formless. Yes, it is absolutely true that people stagnate with idolatry, thus missing the opportunity to experience the formless.
Though there is absolutely no barrier between God and man, the latter has built many barriers, the very first one being man himself. Then in between also come his beliefs, conditionings, emotions, thoughts, scriptures and so on. Mind is form and thus limited, how then can it conceive the formless? Any conception will be a form. One of the Ten Commandments is, “Thou shalt not make any image of God.” The commandment is from Moses. During his time, people were blinded by idol worship; they were doing it irrationally. It was not used as an experiment to attain enlightenment but as an egoistical practice for personal satisfaction, out of fear and other reasons. Therefore the commandment was necessary. In ancient India, the mystics had discovered it as a means to reach the formless.
I had a friend who belonged to a religion that prohibits image worship. One day I asked the fellow, “How do you pray, I mean, how do you conceive God?” “I think of Jesus or God directly” was the answer. “But,” I said, “if you think of Jesus, it is nothing but your imagination, meaning you are worshipping your thought.” And for that matter, the images of Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu and so on are our own creation! Even the science of meditation is based on practices where form plays an important part. While meditation itself is the formless aspect of our being, the methods that lead to it are nothing but means based on forms. Though there are many subtle methods like watching the breath, the thought process, nevertheless they all have to do with certain forms – though subtle, still they are forms.
Only the enlightened beings have transcended all forms and thus dwell in the formless. Kabir has said, “I dwell in the formless and I sing the glory of the form.” But for him, form was the whole existence. Even a great master like Ramakrishna had to pass through the form aspect of God before realising Him. His realisation is an example of the efficiency of image worship to reach the formless. There have been many other such cases; I have myself experienced form. However, worship and prayer are methods for those on the path of devotion. Those on the path of knowledge, here I am not referring to bookish knowledge, will use this method as a means. I would like to make it clear that apart from someone who has attained enlightenment, everyone is an idolater.
If we can focus on an enlightened being with concentration, receptivity and love, then he can become a door to the formless. An enlightened one is a door because the person or the ego is not there, only God is. Here it is good to quote Kabir, “When I was, that is, when the ego or the lower self was, then the Lord was absent. Now I am not, the Lord is.” Jesus has said, “No one comes to the Father but by me.” Krishna said, “Shanti ka sidha marg mein houn,” meaning “I am the direct way to peace.” Through the form of the blessed one, we can easily enter into the meditative state, which is nothing but the state of godliness. Masters who have trodden this earth still have their field of vibration somewhere in space and by concentrating on any one of them, we can attract his energy upon us, which can lead us to meditation.
By Swami Paramananda
The Real Face of Religion
The Real Face of Religion
“What is truth?” asked Pontius Pilate to Jesus of Nazareth.
“What is truth?” asked Pontius Pilate to Jesus of Nazareth.
I have not continued to write on the above line for a symbolical reason. Jesus’ answer to the above question was not in words but in silence. Even today many people are under this delusion that Jesus ignored the question or that he did not answer. I would say that, at that moment, the whole atmosphere was vibrating with his answer. Truth was before them in body and flesh, it was impregnating every cell in Jesus’ body – what more could be said?
The Upanishadic sages say that the one who knows does not speak and if he does, he is lying. It is said that all prophets, incarnations and mystics speak nothing but truth, then does this imply that they are lying? Definitely not! Then what has been said by the great ones? And what is concealed behind the sacred words of the scriptures? Moses asked God, “What is Your name?” “I am what I am,” said the Lord. What are we to understand by this? Was He stating a truth concerning His existence or was He revealing His identity? Is He not beyond all names and forms? But how are we to understand that which is beyond all names and forms? “You will have to be born in spirit,” says Jesus to Nicodemus.
Jesus has always taught in parables. Zen masters use koans to answer the questions of their disciples. For example, a koan used by some Zen masters is “the son of a barren woman.” Buddha says, “I am pointing to the moon and you are looking at my finger.” When a small child asks about its origin, even the mother will tend to say that it came by aeroplane. Should all these be taken literally? Of course not! But this is the situation of our religions today. The teachings of the prophets and saints have been taken literally. People adore the scriptures and the words more than the truth that they reveal.
However, the great initiates in the mystery of life have not left us completely in the dark. They have given us everywhere a few glimpses that invite us to reflection and that may help us to move on the journey using their words as a map. But the inevitable had to happen: the maps have been mistaken for the journey. Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a hidden treasure and that to have it, one has to dig. The question is: where to dig to have this treasure and what kind of treasure is it? Shall we have to dig in a corner of space? Or in the scriptures?
As I said above, we are not left without a hint. The same Jesus says, “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.” Could there be a kingdom with a Godhead at the throne and angels by His sides? How could there be such a thing within? In the Quran, it is said that God is nearer to you than the blood of your marrow. Think over it: what in your being could be nearer to you than your blood? What about the soul? Man was made by the dust of the earth. Then the Lord breathed in him. That life-breath is his essence; it is perfect, thus complete. Hence essentially man is divine, but this will have to be recognised and lived. Can a few rituals and the recitation of prayers or even some abstinence lead to that aim?
Jesus was well aware that the life-breath that the Lord breathed in us was part and parcel of the perfect Father, which made him utter, “Be ye perfect even as the Father in Heaven who is perfect.” The greatest experience, would it not really be to experience the Divine within? Therefore what is the real religion? It is to work for the attainment of the Divine within, the Spirit within. Our life should be spirit-oriented – that is what spirituality is all about. It is not, as believed by ignorant people, a mysterious sectarian affair. Of course, having gone far away from the spirit, one will have to make a little effort at least. How strange! To acquire one’s own self, one will have to make effort. But do not forget Jesus’ statement, “What avails a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?”
Since a long time we have indulged in rituals and debates on religion, now it is time to put into practice. The commandments have been followed blindly, that has led to no result. Now we are approaching a new age with a novel civilisation, both spiritually and materially. The name of spirituality has started blooming and I am fully convinced that it will invade the whole world. Shivoham, Inner Kingdom, Tao, Allah, all these mean the same sublime Truth which is seated in our being. Let us be ready and quick to start the inner journey to our own self. Know thyself and be free.
By Swami Paramananda
The Upanishadic sages say that the one who knows does not speak and if he does, he is lying. It is said that all prophets, incarnations and mystics speak nothing but truth, then does this imply that they are lying? Definitely not! Then what has been said by the great ones? And what is concealed behind the sacred words of the scriptures? Moses asked God, “What is Your name?” “I am what I am,” said the Lord. What are we to understand by this? Was He stating a truth concerning His existence or was He revealing His identity? Is He not beyond all names and forms? But how are we to understand that which is beyond all names and forms? “You will have to be born in spirit,” says Jesus to Nicodemus.
Jesus has always taught in parables. Zen masters use koans to answer the questions of their disciples. For example, a koan used by some Zen masters is “the son of a barren woman.” Buddha says, “I am pointing to the moon and you are looking at my finger.” When a small child asks about its origin, even the mother will tend to say that it came by aeroplane. Should all these be taken literally? Of course not! But this is the situation of our religions today. The teachings of the prophets and saints have been taken literally. People adore the scriptures and the words more than the truth that they reveal.
However, the great initiates in the mystery of life have not left us completely in the dark. They have given us everywhere a few glimpses that invite us to reflection and that may help us to move on the journey using their words as a map. But the inevitable had to happen: the maps have been mistaken for the journey. Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a hidden treasure and that to have it, one has to dig. The question is: where to dig to have this treasure and what kind of treasure is it? Shall we have to dig in a corner of space? Or in the scriptures?
As I said above, we are not left without a hint. The same Jesus says, “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.” Could there be a kingdom with a Godhead at the throne and angels by His sides? How could there be such a thing within? In the Quran, it is said that God is nearer to you than the blood of your marrow. Think over it: what in your being could be nearer to you than your blood? What about the soul? Man was made by the dust of the earth. Then the Lord breathed in him. That life-breath is his essence; it is perfect, thus complete. Hence essentially man is divine, but this will have to be recognised and lived. Can a few rituals and the recitation of prayers or even some abstinence lead to that aim?
Jesus was well aware that the life-breath that the Lord breathed in us was part and parcel of the perfect Father, which made him utter, “Be ye perfect even as the Father in Heaven who is perfect.” The greatest experience, would it not really be to experience the Divine within? Therefore what is the real religion? It is to work for the attainment of the Divine within, the Spirit within. Our life should be spirit-oriented – that is what spirituality is all about. It is not, as believed by ignorant people, a mysterious sectarian affair. Of course, having gone far away from the spirit, one will have to make a little effort at least. How strange! To acquire one’s own self, one will have to make effort. But do not forget Jesus’ statement, “What avails a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?”
Since a long time we have indulged in rituals and debates on religion, now it is time to put into practice. The commandments have been followed blindly, that has led to no result. Now we are approaching a new age with a novel civilisation, both spiritually and materially. The name of spirituality has started blooming and I am fully convinced that it will invade the whole world. Shivoham, Inner Kingdom, Tao, Allah, all these mean the same sublime Truth which is seated in our being. Let us be ready and quick to start the inner journey to our own self. Know thyself and be free.
By Swami Paramananda
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Swami Paramanada shares the secrets of Sex to Cosmic Consciousness; on the 21st August 2010 in LONDON!
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| Dear Friend 21st August 2010 From Sex to Cosmic Consciousness
Parking meters in the surrounding streets. All Rights Reserved. © Satyam Gyanam Anandam Society(SGAS) You have subscribed or have been subscribed to this mailing list. This is NO SPAM. If you are not the intended recipient or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you have received this message in error and that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this message, or any attachment thereto, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify SGAS by replying to this e-mail and delete the message and all of its attachments. Every effort is made to keep our network free from viruses. You should, however, review this e-mail message, as well as any attachment thereto, for viruses. SGAS takes no responsibility and have no liability for any computer virus which may be transferred via this e-mail message or any harm caused to your system. | Retreat in Somerset; peaceful and natural surroundings of Croydon Hall. 4 days of bliss with Swami Paramananda. Topic: Aphorism of love: ‘Narad Bhakti Sutra’ Date: Sunday 22nd – Wednesday 25th August 2010 Price: From £230 (depending on types of room) Are you looking for a summer holiday with a difference? Perhaps you are thinking of embarking on a spiritual journey leading to the discovery of your inner self? SGAS UK is organising a 4 days spiritual retreat. 4 days of bliss with Swami Paramananda; where he will share the secrets of The Path of Love and Devotion, which is one of the most powerful means to connect yourself to the Supreme Self. Imagine an opportunity to live for a few days in the picturesque, breathtaking and peaceful surroundings of suburban Somerset. Imagine yourself embracing an oasis of serenity in the midst of the lofty trees, the vast acres of land and the valleys; the coronet of the vicinity. Join us for our summer retreat! From dawn to dusk, you will submerge yourself in a pool of divine love. You will unleash your inner suppression, anger, jealousy, fear and like a Sufi you will dance with us, sing with us, meditate with us, share your experience and celebrate life with us. So join us for this unique event to the beautiful,natural and peaceful countryside of Somerset. "Dance your way with us and experience a spiritual renaissance".  Please note: Prices include, your meals, accomodation and activities of SGAS UK, however, it excludes your transportation, spa and other onsite facilities which are non-SGAS UK. For prices and special dietery requirement, including type of rooms, please call us for arrangements. Bookings will be made on a first come first serve basis due to limited spaces.    |
The Role of Religion in Economic Development
Before elaborating on the role that religion plays in the economic development of a country and why not that of the whole world, I find it extremely important to understand what we mean by religion. If we take religion as it is today, then I observe that it has done more harm than good to the economic development of the world. I will come to this shortly.
The origin of the word religion is religare meaning ‘to bind’, but I would rather use the word unite. Also, I would use the word spirituality instead of ‘religion’. Religion or spirituality is the science and art that teaches man how to get united with the cosmos or with God. It connotes the same meaning as the word yoga. Man is not separate from the cosmos, but due to ignorance and the limitations of his mind, he identifies himself with merely his physical body. This creates the notion of fragmented consciousness or separation from the whole, hence the feeling of ‘I, mine and thine.’
The other becomes a cause for desire and ambition. Desire brings attraction and repulsion. Since human desires are unlimited and the means with which to satisfy them are limited, frustration, anger, hatred, jealousy, anxiety, depression, greed and lust are born. Duality leads to craving as the mind wants to enjoy the other. In that endeavour, it creates a hell both for itself and others. And society is made up of innumerable minds, thus imagine the conflict and confusion that are created! Present day society bears testimony to this fact.
All the known evils and problems that have ever existed in society have their root in duality. Jean Paul Sartre, the French philosopher, rightly puts it, “The other is hell.” In other words, where there is duality, there is hell. The science of religion is meant to dissipate the notion of being separate from God or the cosmos. Then, whether it is devotion, yoga, meditation, tantra, and the science of breathing and so on, all are meant to eliminate our ignorance and to unite us to the whole, hence, the word religare.
How can religion in the above light help economic development and progress? Before going into it, let’s see the state of religion in the world. Religion is inexistent today. This statement may take almost everyone by surprise. If religion really existed, then the world would be a much better place, not to say a paradise. What we have nowadays is the distorted version, I would even say relics, of religion.
Religion has to do with the heart and mind of people, with their health. Living in harmony with the laws of nature is to be religious. Oneness with life is the first true sign of being religious. The outcome of that sublime state of consciousness is inner peace, love, bliss, eternal life and the spontaneous overflow of virtues. But what do we find today? Confusion, conflict, pandemonium, violence, greed, lust, selfishness, hatred, jealousy, fanaticism, exploitation, poverty and so on and so forth. And this, despite the fact that we have countless churches, temples, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship!
Religion has been reduced to a set of beliefs, dos and don’ts, rites and rituals, commandments and books that people blindly follow. How can these make people’s hearts and minds change? How can a person who is ignorant about himself become a virtuous, loving, peaceful, creative and responsible citizen? In the absence of the above, can there be economic progress? This comes when people are selfless, creative, dynamic and intelligent. Non-religious people always think for their own selfish motives, not for the progress of the nation; they think in terms of race, caste, community or family. Can division help in increasing the production of goods and services? To produce more and of a better quality, to be creative and satisfied, one needs to be at peace with himself and others. And here I mean that workers should be well-paid, well-treated and have a convenient work environment.
It has been said that united we stand, divided we fall! Who is ready to unite these days? Can’t we see that things are falling apart everywhere? Is it not because we are very much divided, because we don’t live as one family? Economic development takes place when there is trust, peace, harmony, love, political stability, mutual respect and professionalism. All these are born out of intelligence. By intelligence, I do not mean only academic formation, but primarily self-education. Corruption, absence of meritocracy, redtapism, selfishness, laziness and absence of creativity are the main causes of economic impediment. These can be eliminated by a transformed mind and a heart full of love, purity and compassion. Religion or spirituality is the only means to produce such an individual.
It has also been said that nature has enough for every man’s need, not for everyone’s greed. Today people have become so greedy that they have plundered and destroyed much of our natural resources. Consequently many countries are suffering from lack of food, energy and natural resources, thus leading to poverty. Greed can only be eliminated by religious or spiritual practices. Simple living can come only from balanced way of life, treading the middle path and avoiding excesses, thus from a religious mind.
Another factor that causes economic drawback is overpopulation. The more people we have, the more difficult it becomes to feed them, to provide for material comfort, to find jobs and housing space. And the more we will have to take from nature because we will have to produce more of everything. A small family is happier than a big one in many respects. But it is not always easy to make people understand that the aim of human existence is not only producing children and spending one’s whole life, energy and intelligence to grow them up. Only a religious mind can understand that, hence my emphasis on religion. However, religion should be practised as an alchemy. It should be meant to change people’s negative attitude and mentality. Merely accumulating religious knowledge will not lead to that.
A trustful and sane atmosphere can enhance the producing capacity of an individual, this is my firm conviction. A really religious person is religious everywhere. For him alone, duty becomes God and work is worship. However, any employer or the government should not expect employees to have such virtues solely for the purpose of producing more, without themselves possessing truly religious attitudes. That should be a corporate affair.
The world is a big family and we are all children of the one God (or cosmos for non-believers). Therefore what should concern us more is the progress of the whole world, not only ours. The end of economic progress is a sound material base so that the individual can evolve and flourish mentally and emotionally. Today that is far from being the case. Economic progress should be for the individual, not vice versa. What is the use of wealth or affluence if the individual does not know love, peace, freedom and bliss? We should have these in mind, then economic progress will become easy and attainable. It should be a means to a higher end that can be reached through religion (spirituality). Once we know the end, then the means becomes justified. And the means towards such a lofty end will automatically build a better human being. With intelligent, creative, honest and peaceful people, economic progress becomes inevitable.
The origin of the word religion is religare meaning ‘to bind’, but I would rather use the word unite. Also, I would use the word spirituality instead of ‘religion’. Religion or spirituality is the science and art that teaches man how to get united with the cosmos or with God. It connotes the same meaning as the word yoga. Man is not separate from the cosmos, but due to ignorance and the limitations of his mind, he identifies himself with merely his physical body. This creates the notion of fragmented consciousness or separation from the whole, hence the feeling of ‘I, mine and thine.’
The other becomes a cause for desire and ambition. Desire brings attraction and repulsion. Since human desires are unlimited and the means with which to satisfy them are limited, frustration, anger, hatred, jealousy, anxiety, depression, greed and lust are born. Duality leads to craving as the mind wants to enjoy the other. In that endeavour, it creates a hell both for itself and others. And society is made up of innumerable minds, thus imagine the conflict and confusion that are created! Present day society bears testimony to this fact.
All the known evils and problems that have ever existed in society have their root in duality. Jean Paul Sartre, the French philosopher, rightly puts it, “The other is hell.” In other words, where there is duality, there is hell. The science of religion is meant to dissipate the notion of being separate from God or the cosmos. Then, whether it is devotion, yoga, meditation, tantra, and the science of breathing and so on, all are meant to eliminate our ignorance and to unite us to the whole, hence, the word religare.
How can religion in the above light help economic development and progress? Before going into it, let’s see the state of religion in the world. Religion is inexistent today. This statement may take almost everyone by surprise. If religion really existed, then the world would be a much better place, not to say a paradise. What we have nowadays is the distorted version, I would even say relics, of religion.
Religion has to do with the heart and mind of people, with their health. Living in harmony with the laws of nature is to be religious. Oneness with life is the first true sign of being religious. The outcome of that sublime state of consciousness is inner peace, love, bliss, eternal life and the spontaneous overflow of virtues. But what do we find today? Confusion, conflict, pandemonium, violence, greed, lust, selfishness, hatred, jealousy, fanaticism, exploitation, poverty and so on and so forth. And this, despite the fact that we have countless churches, temples, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship!
Religion has been reduced to a set of beliefs, dos and don’ts, rites and rituals, commandments and books that people blindly follow. How can these make people’s hearts and minds change? How can a person who is ignorant about himself become a virtuous, loving, peaceful, creative and responsible citizen? In the absence of the above, can there be economic progress? This comes when people are selfless, creative, dynamic and intelligent. Non-religious people always think for their own selfish motives, not for the progress of the nation; they think in terms of race, caste, community or family. Can division help in increasing the production of goods and services? To produce more and of a better quality, to be creative and satisfied, one needs to be at peace with himself and others. And here I mean that workers should be well-paid, well-treated and have a convenient work environment.
It has been said that united we stand, divided we fall! Who is ready to unite these days? Can’t we see that things are falling apart everywhere? Is it not because we are very much divided, because we don’t live as one family? Economic development takes place when there is trust, peace, harmony, love, political stability, mutual respect and professionalism. All these are born out of intelligence. By intelligence, I do not mean only academic formation, but primarily self-education. Corruption, absence of meritocracy, redtapism, selfishness, laziness and absence of creativity are the main causes of economic impediment. These can be eliminated by a transformed mind and a heart full of love, purity and compassion. Religion or spirituality is the only means to produce such an individual.
It has also been said that nature has enough for every man’s need, not for everyone’s greed. Today people have become so greedy that they have plundered and destroyed much of our natural resources. Consequently many countries are suffering from lack of food, energy and natural resources, thus leading to poverty. Greed can only be eliminated by religious or spiritual practices. Simple living can come only from balanced way of life, treading the middle path and avoiding excesses, thus from a religious mind.
Another factor that causes economic drawback is overpopulation. The more people we have, the more difficult it becomes to feed them, to provide for material comfort, to find jobs and housing space. And the more we will have to take from nature because we will have to produce more of everything. A small family is happier than a big one in many respects. But it is not always easy to make people understand that the aim of human existence is not only producing children and spending one’s whole life, energy and intelligence to grow them up. Only a religious mind can understand that, hence my emphasis on religion. However, religion should be practised as an alchemy. It should be meant to change people’s negative attitude and mentality. Merely accumulating religious knowledge will not lead to that.
A trustful and sane atmosphere can enhance the producing capacity of an individual, this is my firm conviction. A really religious person is religious everywhere. For him alone, duty becomes God and work is worship. However, any employer or the government should not expect employees to have such virtues solely for the purpose of producing more, without themselves possessing truly religious attitudes. That should be a corporate affair.
The world is a big family and we are all children of the one God (or cosmos for non-believers). Therefore what should concern us more is the progress of the whole world, not only ours. The end of economic progress is a sound material base so that the individual can evolve and flourish mentally and emotionally. Today that is far from being the case. Economic progress should be for the individual, not vice versa. What is the use of wealth or affluence if the individual does not know love, peace, freedom and bliss? We should have these in mind, then economic progress will become easy and attainable. It should be a means to a higher end that can be reached through religion (spirituality). Once we know the end, then the means becomes justified. And the means towards such a lofty end will automatically build a better human being. With intelligent, creative, honest and peaceful people, economic progress becomes inevitable.
By Swami Paramananda.
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