Friends, a Reflection on Values, Spirituality, and Our Disconnect
In almost every household, you will find parents lamenting, “You’re grown up now, but you still lack wisdom or manners. How will you ever respect your elders or honor them properly? You haven’t even learned how to speak to them politely yet.”
Such statements are commonplace, but rarely do parents pause to reflect—have they ever taught or demonstrated these values themselves? No, often children are scolded or compared to others, with examples drawn from neighbors, mythological stories, or tales of exemplary children. Modern children, however, listen through one ear and let it out the other. If a child were to retort, “Do you respect Grandpa or Grandma? Do you care for that elderly uncle next door?”—such a response might cause a storm in the household, making the child’s life miserable.
This is not to claim parents are wrong or children are entirely right. My intention is simply to draw attention to the lack of moral education we provide. Neither parents nor our education system seem equipped to teach these values effectively. At best, they offer tales or moral stories, often in the form of religious discourse or spiritual texts. But without practical application, these remain just stories. A teaching, until it is acted upon, remains a mere narrative.
Why Do We Fail to Act on Spiritual Wisdom?
The reason is rooted in our belief that spirituality is beyond us. Many have said, or heard others say, “This can be heard or read, but practicing it—no, that’s not for us.” The greater challenge is time. With responsibilities of earning money, building status, securing homes and cars, and caring for families, where is the time? Even the little free time we have is quickly consumed by rest or fleeting holidays. Performing rituals or prayers is itself a struggle, and spirituality feels like an unattainable luxury.
But have you ever wondered why we think this way? Is it merely the passage of time that has brought us to this mindset?
No, friends, this is not a recent development but the product of centuries. This thinking was sown by religious gatekeepers and extremists who, centuries ago, feared mass conversions from Hinduism under foreign rule. These individuals distorted the essence of spirituality, reducing it to passive rituals. They preached endurance, nonviolence, and silent faith in divine intervention, allowing invaders and oppressors to wreak havoc unchecked. They misrepresented our scriptures, claiming that dharma only teaches forbearance and tolerance without recognizing its call to action when no other options remain.
This is why, despite being pushed to the brink, Lord Rama fought a just war, and Lord Krishna urged Arjuna to rise and fight when all other paths were exhausted. Spirituality never teaches us to be passive in the face of injustice—it teaches awareness, wisdom, and decisive action when necessary.
The True Meaning of Spirituality
Over time, spirituality has been reduced to mere rituals—idol worship, prayers, and hymns. These practices, while intended to evoke devotion and love for the divine, have become mechanical. Even during prayers, our minds wander to material concerns. How then can we connect with the divine?
When we admire a temple’s grandeur or the beauty of an idol, do we realize what we are marveling at? Can we truly grasp the majesty of the Creator who shaped the universe? Those who have glimpsed the divine have struggled to articulate their experience. When asked if he had seen God, Lord Buddha smiled and said, “Perhaps yes, perhaps no.” When his disciples inquired about this enigmatic reply, he explained, “The divine is infinite. Each vision only deepens the desire to see more, and every encounter reveals something new. How can I say I have fully seen or not seen? It is endless.”
This raises a profound question: Why is the divine infinite, with no final boundary? We will explore this in greater depth in future discussions. For now, suffice it to say that the infinite nature of the divine makes it impossible to find an “end,” and this understanding led Buddha to speak as he did.
The Universe and the Divine
Modern science echoes some spiritual truths. Scientists observe that every massive celestial body undergoes cycles of formation, destruction, and rebirth. Yet, they have no answer to the questions: Who governs these cycles? Why and how does this immense universe exist and operate? Why does nothing remain still?
Spirituality alone provides these answers. It reveals the ultimate truth behind creation, existence, and dissolution. Tragically, our society has grown distant from this wisdom. We dismiss spirituality as impractical, failing to integrate its teachings into our lives.
A Call to Action
Let us take a small step toward embracing spirituality—not as a ritual, but as a practical guide to life. With your support, we can rediscover and share this timeless wisdom, helping ourselves and future generations find deeper meaning, harmony, and purpose.
Thank you.
