Spirituality - being selflessly selfish

 

What is spirituality? We tend to consider spirituality synonymous with detachment. That is both right and wrong at the same time. We categorize spiritual practice as another way of life. But many of us agree that any creature is more than just body and mind - soul is at the core of living being. 

 

Human being is the most superior species on the earth. The resources a human enjoys throughout life and the potential he can attain are limitless. A man can feel and observe his own patterns and can identify the elements that are most suitable for his well-being. A healthy body and happy mind can contribute to the world more effectively than an unsound body and unhappy mind. It is as simple as like a filled river is capable of quenching thirst of people, not a dry river. Long lasting health stems from fulfillment of the needs of the sensory organs and deep sense of satisfaction inside. Long term satisfaction comes when we achieve something which is not temporary or we attain something that can not be taken away from us. That level of contentment arises when we are able to meet the need of our soul as well as the very need of our physical existence. 

How will one know that soul is happy? Any act that makes one feel at peace with himself along with at peace with others is a step taken to nourish the soul. That act does not necessarily include excitement. Have you ever nurtured a plant and felt joyous seeing the plant turning into a big tree, even after knowing that you will not be plucking the fruit? Or have you ever offered help to a stranger in need and felt happy after watching them feeling relieved? We expect God or the supreme power to feel compassion for every creature and act benevolently. If we can feel a fraction of that compassion towards God's creation, then our energy is already in sync with the energy of the supreme power. That is when nourishment of the soul happens. Many of us do not resonate with this idea. This is because everybody does not know the taste of contentment. Each of us is following our own learning path in our own pace. We often hear the term "sportsman's spirit" or "team spirit" and we know it is nothing but the feelings of camaraderie among the members of a group, enabling them to cooperate and work well together. Similarly, soul or spirit is the non-physical part of our existence that seeks generosity in our every day habit and provides seat to our deep emotions. 

If we wish to prioritise our overall happiness, then we need to nurture our body, mind and soul together every single day. As every river joins sea inevitably, similarly our individual energy flows to greater energy naturally to affect the entire creation. Spiritual awareness help us to choose our actions in more meaningful way. That is how spirituality enlarges our vision to look beyond immediate gain, that is why spirituality is synonymous with detachment.  In Bhagavat Gita, Sri Krishna said, do your work, but don't expect fruits. We tend to underestimate the nature of the 'fruit'. Again spirituality is not detachment because it does not disassociate us from our fellow beings, instead it guides us to contribute to ourselves and others whole heartedly. 

 

A candle offers light as long as it is burning. It is a reminder that we can offer support only as long as we are alive. On the other hand, a melting ice cream is a reminder that we can enjoy life only as long as we are alive. A life is well-lived if every aspect of it has been explored and savoured fully. Right kind of balance between being fully selfish like savouring ice cream and being fully selfless like burning candle is the key to stay contented and that's what spiritual awareness is all about.