Modern World Religion and Spirituality

By: Arun Kumar Suri
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:24:38
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

The world is at cross roads today. On the one hand unprecedented advance in science and technology during the last one decade is making life more comfortable and enjoyable. On the other hand man’s evil qualities like greed, egoism and jealousy are threatening to tear the world apart.

All problems confronting us can be placed under two categories. One category consists of problems arising out of unbridled materialism- people thinking that the only goal of life is to amass wealth and enjoy all the pleasures of life. These people think that money is the be all and end all of human existence and that while earning money the end justifies the means. Someone rightly remarked that those who believe money is everything would do everything for money. Thus we have corruption, extortion, murder, rape and exploitation.

The other category represents problems arising out of religious fundamentalism and factionalism-people claiming exclusive rights over god and forcing their concept of god on others and people who for some reasons believe that they are unique and need a place only for themselves and cannot coexists with others.

Violence taking place is the name of religion is most unfortunate as all religions preach peace, love, compassion and brotherhood of man. In this context, the message of ancient Indian scriptures is particularly relevant. Since time immemorial the ancient scriptures have been proclaiming that Truth is one but wise men call it by many names. But some people think that they can patent God and this attitude leads to intolerance and conflicts.

The Indian scriptures have laid down the goals of human life. They are Dharma-moral code of conduct Artha-material prosperity, Kama-fulfillment of desires and Moksha-self realization. But today’s man has almost forgotten Dharma and Moksha and is busy pursuing Artha and Kama.

There is nothing wrong in earning money through legitimate means and enjoying the pleasures of life. But man should not forget the ultimate goal of human life, which is self-realization. The richest people in the world are not necessarily the happiest people. When someone told Yogananda (an Indian Guru who stayed in the USA for a long time) that he is disgustingly wealthy and disgustingly healthy Yogananda shot back and said “but you are not disgustingly happy”. Many rich people ruin their lives by turning into bad habits to get the maximum “kick” out of life.

That money by itself cannot guarantee happiness is evident by the fact that many rich people flock to ashrams and gurus going through many hardships instead of staying in air-conditioned rooms. The fleeting sensual pleasures cannot satisfy the longing of the human soul, which is seeking lasting happiness. Human mind is always restless and when it gets something it longs for something else. It is clear that man cannot be happy by trying to satisfy his senses and mind. Indian scriptures categorically state that real happiness can be attained only by stilling the mind through meditation and experiencing our true nature. Yogananda has written several books pointing out the similarities between the BHAGAVADGITHA AND BIBLE. He has also written a course containing various lessons, which explain how to meditate. His teaching has influenced countless number of people in all the continents cutting across barriers of caste, culture, religion and nationality. His teaching is universal and is acceptable to people with a scientific bent of mind. He explains using scientific and medical words the effects of correct meditation.

In order to fight the monsters of religious fundamentalism and uncontrolled materialism it is necessary for followers of different religions to come together. It is also essential to modify the educational system in every country to incorporate spirituality into the curriculum. True spirituality is about discovering ourselves and has nothing to do with the rites and rituals of various religions. While there is no need to oppose any particular ritual that is harmless, it is important to teach young children that it is absolutely foolish to fight in the name of God and religion. Using many examples we can convince them that there is a greater power responsible for creating this world and that people of different countries and religions call it by different names. We should teach tolerance and acceptance of all religions while encouraging everyone to continue in his religion. It is futile to try to convert others to our religion when we do not follow it ourselves. It is enough if every person becomes a true follower of his religion.

Arun Kumar Suri is the webmaster of homebusinessandfamilylife.com a website dedicated to various issues of family including health of children and role of parents. The site also stresses the need for mothers to work at home and spend more time with children. Problems faced by children of working mothers are explained. There is also a section on how to start an online business which gives step by step instruction on how to choose good affiliate programs, how to build your own site and how to promote your site. The site gives information on many free resources available on the web. You can visit his website at http://www.homebusinessandfamilylife.com/

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Religion category

  • Role played by Church retreat in our daily life - By: Ron Victor
    Within each one of us lies the desire to know the meaning of our lives. At some point of time man strives to analyze the reason for his birth and his duties towards the Almighty. Not all of them get the answers for these questions by themselves; some of them need to be guided by persons who know the answers; or persons who will guide us to find these answers.
  • The Path of Divinity - By: Rita Jain
    Spirituality is not something that can possibly be circumscribed with religions, cultures or art, but yet it finds expression through these modes. Our generation fully understands this reality and so puts on their best to unveil the spirituality that is hidden in all relics of the world.
  • Christianity – The Religion that is Not - By: Michael Bresciani
    In the seventeenth chapter of Matthew the Apostles Peter, James and John were with Christ when he suddenly was transfigured (glowing or glorified) and was seen talking with Moses and Elijah. Instead of trying to hear what was being said between Jesus, Moses and Elijah, Peter decided that building a shrine to commemorate the event would be a better idea. A voice came from above that changed Peters mind and is still changing minds to this day.
  • What is Peace - By: Syed Masrur
    He is Allah, besides Whom there is no god; the King, the Holy, the Giver of peace, the Granter of security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of every greatness Glory be to Allah from what they set up (with Him). [ Al - Quran - 59.23 ]Peace is something that everyone wants probably more than anything else.
  • The Broad and Narrow Way of Life - By: Kimberly Jackson
    Matthew 7:13 and 14: Enter through the strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.Imagine a gate before you. Once you enter through this gate, the way is either broad or narrow.
  • Bat Mitzvah: A Jewish Female's Celebration of Coming of Age - By: Gail Leino
    The female equivalent of Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, is the rite of passage between childhood and becoming an adult female, in the Jewish faith. At approximately the age of twelve, Jewish females become Bat Mitzvah. At this time, she becomes responsible for herself and her life decisions, both inside and outside the church.
  • Jesus Isn't A Brand Name - By: Glen D. Williams
    Even in the third grade, everyone at my elementary school knew the cool boys wore Converse All-Stars, Levi's 501s and a pin-stripe sport shirt. Yes...it was the early 60's!
  • My Love Affair With Jesus in Nothing's Going to Stop Us Now Lyrics by Starship - By: Matthew Robert Payne
    Lookin' in your eyes I see a paradise This world that I found is too good to be true Standing here beside you, want so much to give you This love in my heart and I feel it for you Let 'em say we're crazy, I'll give a path Put your hands in my hand baby don't ever look back Let the world around us, just fall apart Baby we can make it if we're heart to heart And we can build this thing together Standing strong forever Nothing's gonna stop us nowWhen I first came to love this song it was at an Amway convention when they blasted out songs and showed slides of cars, houses and holidays and the richest of possessions that we could all dream for and strive for. Sorry to bring Amway into it. May make a few of you laugh though.
  • Ted Haggard and How Evangelical Politics Helped End His Preaching Career - By: Les Herron
    When the reports of Pastor Ted Haggard's potential sexual downfall were first shouted from the rooftops of the mainstream media his religious friends (and others) pointed fingers at what was certainly political motivation.And politics were certainly a part of the why's and how's of Haggard's downfall but probably not in the way we first thought.To be evangelical and/or charismatic we must be aligned with a specific political party and vote a certain way on each 'important' issue', with importance being defined by someone in a ministry typically located outside of a local church ministry (para-church ministry).
  • Does the Qu'ran Command Endless War - By: Ray McIntyre
    After the tragedies of the 11th of September 2001 and the invasion of Iraq many people are arguing that the Qu'ran and Islam itself teaches that a state of endless war exists between Muslims and 'Infidels' (who are usually defined by these folk as being Christians and Jews.)In support of their arguments they pull quotes from the Qu'ran which seem to support their position, but do they really?In this article I want to show the deceitful way in which these folk argue, either out of ignorace on their part or from a desire to stir up hatred against folk.