THE PROBLEM is not particularly one of abstraction but of realism. Partial subjectivity, however, is another word that could be used in explaining this phenomenon. At this age, the mature would consider me a novice to comment upon such a vexed issue. But over a period of time I have learnt how experience helps one graduate in an amoebic fashion through the hierarchy of the knowledgeable lot.
It is time for us to realise and draw the omnipresent distinction between what is spiritual and what is religious. The two terms are almost synonymous, each bearing a striking resemblance to the other, though the dependency of the former over the latter stands in stark contrast to the obverse equation. Only if this consciousness dawns upon us will we be able to become spiritual though not necessarily religious. This is because spiritualism is the movement for the revival of the spirit, consciousness, the inner self and for the mutation of ills and aliments. Though religion essentially carries similar connotations, these days, the distorted picture we are presented with is truly presentable only to convince the external and not to affect the internal.
As if that wasn’t enough - being religious today is fanatically juxtaposed to communalism and in the larger scheme of things, to theocracy. Taking such terms into account though, would mislead us to a debate over secularism and communalism, which is perhaps the most hyped issue within our present polity. Reverting to spirituality, a rarity with the youth of the nation, it can be given impetus only if its true meaning is understood, with a notion tagged along to convince people into believing that being spiritual doesn’t imply following a particular religion. Spirituality in its true essence is the most secular, confined to no community and devoid of rituals or ceremonious affairs.
When I mentioned the word abstraction in regard to spirituality, the reference was to the ‘alienism’ the grave term carries with it. The concept is very practical and worldly and it’s not as ambiguous as it sounds. Followers of different forms would never clash with each other to the extent that would demand their lives. The motive behind the entire phenomenon is straight - to calm the soul, soothe it, make people realise their sins and overcome their grievances.
Spiritual adoption does not imply the intake of blessed food or a reference to yogis, preachers, hymns or thorough readings of religious scriptures. On the contrary, spirituality adopts you, by setting you free and allowing the spirit to expand; in short, being yourself and being happy the way you are.
Wait a while before becoming a hippy though, because here is where the interdependency between
spirituality and religion creeps in. Much as spirituality is about letting your self free, it is religion that restricts you to human confines, disallowing addictive intake for an infinite experience. Hopefully, this reminder would awaken our communal leaders to the fact that religion is the essence of the fundamentals of human civilisation and not as essential for splitting it into disjoint components. Conclusively, being spiritual is as natural as being human is, because, it is so concerned with the freedom of the self, though the incorporation of religion in our lives is essential to limit ourselves from crossing civic barriers and adhering to civil codes instead of the jungle law.
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