Dr. Pranav Pandya
There are two aspects to human life: One that relates to the physical body, the material, and the other that relates to the inner self or the soul, the spiritual. Materialism is a tendency to lead a life of worldly pleasures.
Spirituality means to keep in mind the awakening of the soul even while remaining active. Material characteristics in-clude greed, attachment towards worldly objects and people, and egoism.
We generally engage our time and effort in satisfying our material requirements. The mind is different from the rest of the senses in that it is always dissatisfied. New hopes and ambitions arise once the old ones are fulfilled.
The worth and importance of a well-mannered, disciplined person is obviously more than that of an egoistic person. No circumstances or individuals can challenge a person who is dominated by ego, whereas examples of egoistic people suffering and coming to ruin can be seen all around us.
The ego-less person is respected while an egoistic person is not. The inner self or the soul is called antaratma. Looking after the soul results in eternal peace, satisfaction, bliss and the acquisition of both material and spiritual benefits.
Here, priority is given to the soul compared to the body. Bodily requirements are kept to a minimum and the principle of "simple living and high thinking" is adopted.
This means a person who takes care of his soul has to practise restraint over the senses and remain satisfied with minimum resources. If, for example, food intake is kept low, it has the double benefit of enabling longevity and protection from diseases.
The consumption of too much sugar, salt and fat can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis respectively. An excess usage of other senses also causes problems.
For example, watching too much television or too much exposure to computers damages eyesight. Listening to loud music affects hearing. Overindulgence in sexual activities is unhealthy.
People who practise res-traint never experience financial crisis. nor do they remain in debt. They maintain a healthy body and healthy mind. They are called people of character; they are respected.
We should consider the whole world as family, by adopting the principle of vasudhaiva kutumbakam. Why spend valuable time and effort for the sake of a few family members only? When the feeling of vasu-dhaiva kutumbakam develops, a person exhibits love and compassion towards everyone and offers his services for the welfare of humanity. On the other hand, if one person or a group of persons is showered with excessive love and caring, it becomes a cause of suffering for every-one concerned. Thinking about the welfare of the soul prevents wastage. Those who remain satisfied achieve peace. Everyone around them become their friends, admirers or supporters. They always remain blissful. Nothing remains to be achieved by a person who follows the path of the welfare of the soul.
(The writer is chancellor, Devasans-kriti Vishwa Vidyalaya, Hardwar.)
There are two aspects to human life: One that relates to the physical body, the material, and the other that relates to the inner self or the soul, the spiritual. Materialism is a tendency to lead a life of worldly pleasures.
Spirituality means to keep in mind the awakening of the soul even while remaining active. Material characteristics in-clude greed, attachment towards worldly objects and people, and egoism.
We generally engage our time and effort in satisfying our material requirements. The mind is different from the rest of the senses in that it is always dissatisfied. New hopes and ambitions arise once the old ones are fulfilled.
The worth and importance of a well-mannered, disciplined person is obviously more than that of an egoistic person. No circumstances or individuals can challenge a person who is dominated by ego, whereas examples of egoistic people suffering and coming to ruin can be seen all around us.
The ego-less person is respected while an egoistic person is not. The inner self or the soul is called antaratma. Looking after the soul results in eternal peace, satisfaction, bliss and the acquisition of both material and spiritual benefits.
Here, priority is given to the soul compared to the body. Bodily requirements are kept to a minimum and the principle of "simple living and high thinking" is adopted.
This means a person who takes care of his soul has to practise restraint over the senses and remain satisfied with minimum resources. If, for example, food intake is kept low, it has the double benefit of enabling longevity and protection from diseases.
The consumption of too much sugar, salt and fat can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis respectively. An excess usage of other senses also causes problems.
For example, watching too much television or too much exposure to computers damages eyesight. Listening to loud music affects hearing. Overindulgence in sexual activities is unhealthy.
People who practise res-traint never experience financial crisis. nor do they remain in debt. They maintain a healthy body and healthy mind. They are called people of character; they are respected.
We should consider the whole world as family, by adopting the principle of vasudhaiva kutumbakam. Why spend valuable time and effort for the sake of a few family members only? When the feeling of vasu-dhaiva kutumbakam develops, a person exhibits love and compassion towards everyone and offers his services for the welfare of humanity. On the other hand, if one person or a group of persons is showered with excessive love and caring, it becomes a cause of suffering for every-one concerned. Thinking about the welfare of the soul prevents wastage. Those who remain satisfied achieve peace. Everyone around them become their friends, admirers or supporters. They always remain blissful. Nothing remains to be achieved by a person who follows the path of the welfare of the soul.
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