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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
| Q.
What is the difference between Spirituality and Religion? |
A. The key difference between Spirituality and
Religion is that while Religion tends to be divisive, Spirituality
leads to unification of mankind. Religious practice is not wrong but
the world has seen that the religious division has led to terrible
wars and destruction and continues to do so today. Through spiritual
growth we understand that we are all one and encourage no beliefs to
cause hatred or intolerance of each other. Spiritual consciousness is
a deeper, more holistic belief system and its pursuit requires no
rituals but an attitude initially of unconditional love and giving and
an understanding or intuitive belief that all mankind is part of great
divine group.
| Q.
What is meditation and why is it important? |
A. There are many techniques that enhance our
quality of living. Meditation is one such important and simple
technique. Due to our modern and contemporary lifestyles we have
become more vulnerable to stress, anger and various negative emotions.
These also lead to diseases and meditation can effectively neutralize
this. Meditation, is a practice that requires us to spend as minimum
as five minutes a day you need to sit in a silent, softly lit room and
close our eyes. Having done that, you attempt to turn your attention
initially to achieving a state of calm, tranquility by slowly easing
our your thoughts out of your mind by first diverting your mind on
your slow breathing. Keep a half smile on your face and if your mind
is still distracted by various thoughts, mildly concentrate on a
mental picture of your favorite nature spot, or some view of scenic
splendor. Slowly tend to blank your thought process and be calm. If
thoughts continue to drift in your mind, that is natural, just like
clouds moving before the Sun. You can also chant a simple mantra or
repeat a positive intention in your mind. This is the beginning to
your journey in meditative practice.
· I am blissful
· I am always happy
· I am Immortal
· I am healthy
· I am yogi or will be soon
| Q.
What does being spiritual require and Why are there so many
spiritual techniques, which do we choose i.e. Reiki, Pranic
healing, Art of Living? |
A. Being spiritual is wanting a state of tranquil
mind and which adopts a discriminatory attitude not influenced overtly
by desire as you flow with your life. Bliss and contentment naturally
follow. Classical meditation is the time tested path but you may use
neo methodologies which make it more interesting to the layman. You
can reinforce that state of mind with these techniques that strengthen
and expedite your spiritual development. The best option of course is
reading and small collective spiritual brainstorming sessions with
like minded people. You also have a multiple choice of practices which
are all essentially meditative practices synergized with positive
mental resolution that you can do on your own. They all affirm the
some simple eternal truth: that we are all part of one Divine whole
and that in our lifetime we can be empowered by identifying with the
Divine whole.
| Q.
Why do we need a belief system including spirituality as they all
evolve into systems for Social Control ? |
A. We do not need any belief systems, for spiritual
growth. In fact most of spiritual development is based on an
individual's intuitive recognition of the spiritual truths being
disseminated. Yes, initially the aspiring individual will be
recommended to read spiritual books and attend spiritual sessions.
Spiritual development has been distorted by various individuals and
groups for social control but true spirituality only reinforces our
state of freedom and develops our natural instinct for giving love and
being joyful.
| Q.
Is celibacy necessary on the path of individual spiritual
transformation ? |
A. According to the Upanishads control over the
senses is a prerequisite to spiritual transformation. And not just sex
but so also the other senses. Abstinence from sex, meat, alcohol,
comes naturally in the course of spiritual evolution. Pondering on
these is a sure sign that you are not ready to give it up either.
Suppression is no solution nor is an obsession with it. Live your life
consciously with constant awareness and watch how all excesses fall
off automatically just as dead leaves or ripe fruit, whichever analogy
you prefer, falls.
| Q.
What is sexual energy? |
A. Sexual energy lies at the base of our chakras at
the muldhara centre. A better word to describe it would be life energy
for this energy manifests itself in different ways as it moves
upwards. From sex it transforms itself into joy, bliss, love. This
same energy eventually open up the 3rd chakra and the Sahasrara.
| Q.
What are the major Gods in Hinduism? |
A. Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu representing
destruction, creation and protection are the three Gods of the
Trinity, these three attributes are ever manifest in the world and are
interrelated. To indicate their interrelatedness, the three are
combined in the one form of Lord Dattatreya. Lord Dattatreya has the
three faces of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
| Q.
If there is only one God, Why are there so many different Gods and
goddesses in Hinduism? |
A. Hinduism speaks of one God that is the supreme
Self in man. The different gods and goddesses are representatives of
the powers and functions of the one supreme God. Hinduism has not only
created gods and goddesses of the powers and functions of the one God
but also personified and symbolized aspects of nature, diseases and
parts of the material world. The grand plan is to remind man of the
supreme at every step of his life.
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Spiritual
Masters
