On being materialistic and spiritual….

 

On being materialistic and spiritual….

People usually treat materialistic and spiritual life as separate. I often hear one say “I want to taste spiritual life too and want to pursue that but after I retire. But for now I want to lead materialistic life and hence don’t ask me to heal…I just want to enjoy…?!” (Whatever that means)

As long as we hold view which stems from lack of clarity in this subject, we are bound to suffer. We are bound to not follow anything correctly and whole-heartedly.

In spirituality and in meditation, we don’t leave the world far behind. We so desire the world and the things of this world that it is difficult nay impossible even to think of ‘a desire to leave them behind’. But spirituality doesn’t mean any of these things. We don’t have to go to some forest to do some intense penance. Though, that too holds its lure!

Being spiritual means we become aware of our thoughts and emotions. We don’t let them play havoc with our state of mind. We can chose which ever emotion we fancy but at our pace and convenience. We are riding the emotion.

But, as a materialistic person, the emotions run amok. They drive us crazy. One desire is enough to make us desperate and reckless in our thoughts, words and actions. We lose integrity of character and we don’t even regret that with our reasoning that supports us with logic and reasons to do so! Our mind runs us and our life. 

Contd....

# materialistic, spiritual, meditation, desires, effects of desires, emotions, mind games, benefits of meditation, 

also read suggested : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=I+sat+on+my+favourite+spot 

https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=unka+woh+jaane 

Can you share what you understood from these stories given in this link above ....

The river

The river

Since childhood, I like to sit on the banks of river. I do it occasionally. I can sit looking at running water for hours. I had been busy all these years and couldn’t go to the river. Today, after many years, I longed to go down to the river. I went.

I sat on my favourite spot – a rock under a huge peepul tree. But, like good old days, I couldn’t put my feet I the water.  The water was very dirty. I looked at my reflection. My face looked bad – real bad. I didn’t like it. I couldn’t stand it.  So, I left sooner than I thought. My reflection hurt me a lot. I was depressed for long time to come. I decided not to go to river ever.

Sometime passed. I heard some group had cleared and cleaned the river. Now, it was clear like before. Everyone was in praise of it. I was tempted to go. I stood the temptation for sometime, but had to give in very soon.

One evening I took courage and went to the river and sat on my favourite spot as ever!

What they said about river being cleaned was true. Now, the water was not murky.  It was clean and clear. I looked at my reflection. I liked it. I looked at it for long. How long I don’t remember? But, as long as I looked at it, I was blissful and totally at peace.

It was late in the evening when I came back to my senses. I smiled at my experience. It was wonderful and so fulfilling. How wonderful it would have been if the river was ever so clean and clear! But, who was responsible for it being polluted and who is to clean it? For me to love myself, I needed a clear river! Sounds so simple yet………

I left the river with a heart singing out of joy but a mind that had a question ‘will the river be the same when I come back next time?’. I hope so!