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Why be a spiritual person?
A V R Rao
Last Updated IST

Unlike religion, the concept of spirituality is almost identical and free from conflicts throughout the world. The common characteristics of a spiritually mature person is that he/she looks at all living beings as one and accepts them as they are without feeling superior or inferior or trying to change them. Such a person works for the universal welfare, ceases to have expectations from others, engages in benevolent actions only for self-satisfaction, without seeking approval from others, does not compare oneself with others and is always happy and content without attaching such state to others or to material objectives.

True spirituality leads one to beyond earthly benefits and losses. It is a state of equanimity far above the duality of good and bad, profit and loss, sorrow and happiness etc that we ordinarily experience. In that sublime state of bliss, none of these dualities matter as the spiritually oriented person rejoices in the highest condition of divinity.

Spirituality should never be viewed with reference to mundane gains and losses; the benefits of being a spiritual person are incomparably far above every other joy that we can think of, either of this or the other world. Regardless of what is desired or asked for, God will ensure that the benefits adapt themselves to the actual needs of the devotee. Also, the benefits start flowing in during the very process of becoming spiritual and not merely after its fruition.

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Being a spiritual person is synonymous with being a person whose highest goal is to be loving to oneself and others. His/her conviction that we are all One, motivates him/her to work for everyone’s welfare and stay away from any harmful activities.

However, the path to spirituality is intricate but efforts are never wasted; even if this life ends abruptly in the midst of trying to achieve spiritual peaks. Their noble qualities and capabilities continue to remain alive and vibrant in their reincarnation phase. Here is what Lord Krishna assures in Bhagawad Gita (6/40): pãrtha naiveha nãmutra vinãshas tasya vidyate na hi kalyãna-krit kashchid durgatim tata gachchhati meaning, “One who engages on the spiritual path does not meet with destruction either in this world or the world to come; one who strives for God-realization is never overcome by evil.

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(Published 03 March 2021, 01:40 IST)