Relevance of Spirituality in the Modern Era

- Sukhvinder Singh Bhatia

Spirituality-the quality of being concerned with religion or the human spirit

This is how the Oxford describes spirituality. But it is only paradoxical that nowadays we
people are concerned about every other thing viz. our apparel, our behaviour, our social status
except the thing which really matters and that is our inner self.
Religion is slowly losing its original meaning. It has now been reduced to the status of a
hypothesis which is presently at the mercy of our so called leaders who leave no stone
unturned in leading the masses on a path which is nothing but a mirage. These modern day
pedagogues make us believe that god is this and that. But all of us forget, that wasnt god
there when we were kids, when we were ignorant of the great words of these religious
leaders?
The answer is very simple. Religion is nothing but a path that leads a human being to the
divine and supreme energy. Even if one shuns the concept of religion it does not mean that
the person is an atheist. An atheist, in my opinion, is a misnomer as it is not possible that a
man shuns everything and treats himself as the sole master. There is something somewhere
which reminds him that there is an energy that is stronger than the strongest on this earth.
Coming back to the original point of discussion, that is the relevance of spirituality, we see
that today the rat race for better status of living has left all of us in a whirlpool of worries.
The traditional values postulated by our tangible as well as intangible heritage have now been
modified. A simple instance would be neki kar dariya main daal which has now been
translated to me first me first!! But isnt it more sensible to visualize oneself before
others??? Many will ask that if god resides inside everyone than why a man shouldnt care
for himself more than anyone else. Point taken. However the definition of virtuous life still
remains very much simple.
Even if we dont find time to do charity or do small little things for others, we shouldnt make
things difficult or miserable for others. Even if we dont find time to pray we shouldnt
practice evil or commit crimes. Even if we are unable to think positively we shouldnt let the
pessimism evade our lives.
The fact that relevance of spirituality is under question is itself questionable. Universal truths
are never questioned. I wouldnt sound dogmatic if I suggest that for the modern man to seek
peace, the trinity of body, mind and soul is a must. Paulo Coelho the man behind alchemist

highlighted the same in his bestseller The devil and Miss prim. He wrote that even evil is a
device fabricated by the god to demonstrate that the good ultimately prevails.
In light of above I would like to share a three point strategy with the readers which is a must
for survival not in materialistic but in spiritual sense.

Make a point to repeat the name of that supreme energy, if not possible; just meditate
so that the toxins present in the body are suppressed.
Remember that lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride are your biggest enemies and not
someone who is your colleague or a competitor.
Just be true to yourself. So that when you look into the mirror, the satisfaction if not,
happiness will automatically enlighten your soul.
I shall submit with the following words.
We need not sell our Ferraris in order to be a monk