NEWS FROM WORLD: Myths about spirituality!

Namaste,

Let us look at some myths that people hold in their minds about spirituality.

1) Spiritual seekers have to be serious --- No, No, No and a thousand times No. To take the ups and downs of life in good humor is necessary for our spiritual evolution. A hearty laugh can silence the noise of the mind.

2) We should pay money for learning meditation, yoga etc otherwise we will earn bad Karma --- This "new age" idea is baseless and completely false. New Age/Healing/Yoga/Meditation etc have become a big commercial industry today. The rishis (sages) of yore did not charge a single penny for spreading this wisdom. They just expected dedication, sincerity and humility from the person who is interested in learning. These things cannot be sold like a commodity in the market. It is surprising and even shocking to know that some so-called Gurus and Masters are charging thousands of dollars for teaching spirituality and giving discourses. It is so sad and yet a bitter truth.

Jesus did not charge for healing and preaching. Guru Nanak Dev never charged for it. Buddha never charged for it. Krishna never charged for it. Adi Shankaracharya never charged for it. So what is the need for many so-called Gurus today to charge money in the name of spirituality?

Commercialization of spirituality has to be discouraged at all "costs".

3) We need to sacrifice animals to reach God --- This is a very cruel myth. So many animals are slaughtered all across the world in the name of God. God is not Count Dracula and hence, not thirsty for blood at all. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba says that wherever the scriptures talk about animal sacrifice, they actually mean the sacrifice of animal qualities. We must not be impulsive like animals. It is a symbolic teaching and has been misunderstood as actual animal sacrifice.

4) We need to torture our bodies to reach God ---- Never! God is not a sadist. He doesn't want anyone to lie on a bed of thorns to please him.

5) We need to develop healing powers and psychic powers to evolve spiritually --- That is so not true. A spiritually evolved person may effortlessly have these powers. But it never happens vice-versa. We don't need to channel messages from "Archangels" or "Ascended masters" to move further on the spiritual path. Even though it is true that when the mind becomes calm, some of us may indeed receive messages from evolved beings.

6) We need to come in contact with a U.F.O or Aliens to evolve spiritually --- Trust me I have heard this one so many times. Ofcourse, life is possible in many parts of the universe. There have been several U.F.O sightings. However, it does not mean that we have to wait for a U.F.O to abduct us and then make us "enlightened".

7) Spiritual evolution is determined by material abundance --- The famous book ,"The Secret" has made this idea quite popular. Using our emotional and mental power to attract or manifest "good" things in our lives etc etc. A person's physical and material circumstances have nothing to do with his inner state of evolution. Poverty is not a sign of spiritual evolution. Similarly, material abundance is also not a sign of spiritual evolution.

It is true that human being is capable of attracting certain circumstances by tapping into his/her emotional/mental energy. However, that would entangle us further into the chains of Karma. Bhagavad Gita teaches us to carry out our daily duties selflessly by being detached from the fruits of those actions. The fruits have to be surrendered to God. That is the only way to avoid getting trapped in more Karma.

8) We have to practise very tough physical Yoga postures to become enlightened --- Sorry. Not true. Yoga postures have a wonderful effect on a person's body and mind. Yoga is a very beautiful system of healing and rejuvenating the body. It also helps in controlling the mind to a great extent. However, it is not necessary to entangle your limbs in a knotty Yoga posture to walk on the spiritual path.

Spirituality is synonymous with simplicity. In Hindi we have a beautiful adage, "Jo Saral Hai Wohi Sathya Hai" which means that truth is always simple. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba reminds us of this time and again. He says in Kali Yuga(the present age) we just need to be good and loving towards everyone and repeat any name of God which is dear to our hearts. Nothing else is needed. Help ever, Hurt never!