How do the misconceptions regarding Spirituality arise?

 

 

1. Misconceptions about Spirituality

Most people specially the younger generation, have a lot of misconceptions about Spirituality. So let us first understand what these misconceptions are, that is what is not Spirituality.

1.1 Fear

30% of the population feels that if God and saints get enraged with them, they will be harmed. Many people as directed in letters which they have received in the name of saints or God, send twenty-five to fifty copies of them, with the fear that if they do not comply then they will incur a great loss. Similarly, people give alms with the fear that if a person in the garb of a mendicant is hurt, then he may wish one ill and may even curse. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to harbour such fears. However, due to the fear that if one errs, a sin shall be committed and one will be punished by God for it, at least 30% people from society refrain from making mistakes. This is an indirect benefit of this school of thought.

1.2 Ignorance

There is no connection whatsoever between education which gives worldly pleasures and ignorance about Spirituality. Approximately 80% of the people from each of the following groups - illiterate, those with primary education, those with secondary education, graduates and post-graduates are ignorant about Spirituality, as they have no formal education in it. An example of such ignorance can be seen in the article, ‘The Ganesh idol from the aesthetic point of view’ which appeared in a local daily. In this article a famous artist writes, ‘The traditional Ganesh idol is considered as one of the most beautiful sculptures. I feel like congratulating the anonymous sculptor, the first to materialise this innovative idea into reality’. That Ganapati (Lord Ganesh) is an idea, is ignorance by itself. Deities like Ganapati are not imaginary, they really exist and even have a form. This is what that poor writer does not know.

1.3 Blind faith

From the example given below one can realise how deeply blind faith is harboured by Indians. Vrundavan, a place in North India is considered sacred due to Shri Krushna’s residing there. The residents of Vrundavan believe that if one dies in such a sacred place then one’s embodied soul gets liberated. Hence in Vrundavan, faith prevails that the residents of Vrundavan shall not be afflicted with any problem due to dissatisfied ancestors’ souls.
The point to be noted here is that, if this were really true then every corrupt person, a dacoit, a murderer despite committing numerous sins would finally get liberated! If this occurs, then it would be injustice to others. The Lord is impartial towards all. The statement that if one dies in Vrundavan one attains liberation, is true only in the case of a devotee or a sinner who is totally repentant and not others.
One comes across 20% individuals in society who harbour blind faith. Although there is a loss of 10% to the society because of this; yet there is 20% benefit as at least some people refrain from doing bad deeds out of blind faith.
‘We consider a cat crossing our path as a bad omen. So should cats never be seen on the road? If a lizard falls on someone, he feels distressed.’ ⁽¹⁾ These are not superstitions but are premonitions. Should they occur one should repeat (chant) The Lord’s Name.

1.4 Misuse

About 5% of people make money under the garb of Spirituality for instance by starting a ‘yoga’ or a ‘pranayam (controlled breathing exercises)’ class. At one such ‘pranayam’ centre there was a choice of eighteen separate courses of pranayam for improving health, improving concentration, personality development, etc. Names of the eighteen courses were printed in their pamphlet merely to attract people. In reality the same pranayam was taught in every course!

1.5 Cheating

95% of the so-called ‘holy men’ are fake. They make money in the garb of a mendicant. One such ascetic (sadhu) would prescribe ‘worship of the vagina (yonipuja)’ as the sole remedy for any sort of complaint that a woman had. He would then have intercourse with her, that is worship her vagina as the treatment!
Some Gurus advertise through newspapers that they will initiate with a gurumantra at a particular time! [More information on the Guru is given in ‘Science of Spirituality : Vol. 4 - Path of Guru’s Grace (Gurukrupayoga)’.] These fake holy men should realise that rather than roaming about adorned with sandalwood paste (gandha) or tilaks, they should behave virtuously. Only then will people worship them with sandalwood paste and tilaks and will they make at least some amount of spiritual progress themselves.

1.6 Inflated ego

About 5% of people in society try to educate the masses about Spirituality pretending to be very well versed in it when in reality they know nothing about it. For instance knowing absolutely nothing about ‘Lord Shrirama’ one wrote, ‘Rama was never ideal. He can never be the seat of one’s faith..... The concept of God itself should be uprooted’, etc. Yet another said, ‘Now let us see to it that God retires!’

1.7 ‘Of what use is it to us?’

55% of the people feel ‘let those who have a liking for Spirituality study it, of what use is it to us?’ They do not know that in the life of an average individual 20% of physical and psychological problems are caused due to reasons other than spiritual factors in the wilful action (kriyaman karma). The remaining 80% problems are caused by spiritual factors alone. In other words, out of every five distressed individuals, four can acquire happiness merely by undertaking spiritual practice; so four out of five individuals from among one’s family, relatives and friends definitely need Spirituality. Spiritual practice enhances one’s ability to endure destiny. All this of course is from the worldly point of view. To attain the Final Liberation (Moksha), however, there is no substitute for Spirituality.

1.8 Secrecy

Some people feel that secrecy has to be maintained in Spirituality. Why do people following the Aryadharma observe secrecy in Spirituality? In this regard a saint, Shri Gulabrav Maharaj says - ‘Only those who feel that there is nothing in the Vedanta other than idle talk say this. When there are trade secrets even in business, why should one feel that there should be none in Spirituality? Besides, one cannot understand the true meaning properly, despite voluminous writings in the holy texts. Secondly, knowledge from holy texts goes into the hands of people who have no authority over it. Thus a genre of people is generated, who impart knowledge to others merely by reading holy texts without totally following the Path of Spirituality. When knowledge is revealed in such a manner, people feel that worldly life is alone more valuable than Spirituality.’ ⁽²⁾

1.9 Misconceptions about spiritual practice

Detailed information on misconceptions about spiritual practice is given in ‘Science of Spirituality : Chapter 3 - Practice of Spirituality’.

1.10 Misconceptions about priests

Some priests who perform rituals feel that they know everything about Spirituality. In reality however, a majority of them know only about ritualistic worship (karmakand) and they are ignorant about the science behind the rituals.
Those who deliver spiritual discourses (pravachan, kirtan) speak a lot on Spirituality without having any spiritual experiences. Some people consider them as Gurus and undertake spiritual practice as advised by them thus wasting several years of their life doing inappropriate spiritual practice.

1.11 Misconceptions about seekers

A lady seeker’s husband was murdered. When she accepted it calmly, the police thought that she must have committed the act. Some felt that she was not bereaved because she did not love her husband or presumed that she loved someone else. Some thought that she would grieve later with the passage of time!

1.12 Misconceptions about ascetics (sadhus)

1.13 Misconceptions about those teaching Spirituality

Misconceptions about Dr. Jayant Balaji Athavale - ‘Doctor makes use of hypnosis more than Spirituality; that is why a larger audience attends his discourses / workshops’.

1.14 Misconceptions about the Guru

Some harbour the misconception that the Guru will eliminate their worldly obstacles. The Guru has no relation with worldly obstacles but is concerned solely with the spiritual progress of His disciple.

2. Reasons for misconceptions regarding Spirituality

2.1 Misguidance by ‘prominent’ members of society

One should generally not speak on a subject of which one does not have adequate knowledge. Despite this rule several prominent personalities from other fields in society talk on Spirituality even when they have had no spiritual experiences. Some of their listeners especially the younger generation not realising that their opinions should not be taken seriously, get misled and misconceptions regarding Spirituality are created in their minds. A few samples of quotes on Spirituality by such ‘prominent’ personalities are given below. This may also be called idle talk !

2.2 Spread of ignorance through the media

We have already seen how ignorance spreads through newspapers. The radio and television too project repeatedly that things such as casting an evil eye, black magic like bhanamati, possession, etc. are all fake when these really do exist.

2.3 Opposition to the spread of spiritual knowledge by universities

We had written to the executive committee of extra mural education of the University of Mumbai to include the subject of Spirituality in their curriculum to help to eradicate the misconceptions about Spirituality. In a letter dated 27^th June 1988, the University rejected the request. Our universities will probably awaken once the study of this subject commences abroad!

2.4 Spread of ignorance by universities

In a television documentary produced by a university it was said that astrology, the science of mantra, asking a deity for answers through media such as flowers, leaves, etc. in a temple (kaul), etc. are all fake.

2.5 Indirect resistance from the government

A television serial depicting factual incidents beyond the comprehension of the intellect was discontinued by the government due to pressure from the so-called rationalists. However Shakespeare’s play ‘Hamlet’ which also shows a ghost was allowed to be telecast!

2.6 Expression of unilateral opinions

‘The upliftment of the lowest caste of people (harijans) and tribals will bring back Rama’s rule of Righteousness (Ramarajya) to our country, in the real sense..... The chiefs of all hermitages (ashrams), mendicants and saints should leave their ashrams and go into the world to serve the harijans and tribals’- the quote of a well-known Swami. One having true spiritual knowledge even to a small extent will never make such statements. Such statements usually stem from a desire for cheap publicity.

2.7 Ignorance and blind faith of rationalists

2.8 Pessimism

Question: ‘Why is there so much pessimism about studying Spirituality?
Answer: First and foremost it is the absence of appropriate education. Secondly, people are not imparted information about this subject in their day-to-day life. It is but natural for people not to develop a liking for Spirituality, as no one provides true knowledge about God. Formerly preaching, prayer and the sacred and venerable holy texts and religious books were closely associated with life. Today due to the growing materialism, they have lost their importance and value in the life of the common man. “Money” itself has become the “Righteousness (Dharma)” of the new era.’^(?)

2.9 Unscientific superficial literature

It is such literature which makes readers lose their faith in Spirituality. For example, a book authored by a famous spiritualist says - ‘Lord Ganapati is fond of red flowers. Red colour signifies revolution. Leaders and philosophers like divine revolution’.

2.10 Unrealistic claims

An example of this is illustrated by the following news item from a daily. ‘Recovery from asthma by performing yogic postures (yogasans)!: It has now been proved that one can get relief from asthma by totally avoiding mental stress and performing simple exercises like yogic postures. Dr. M.P. Mani, of the Kerala Science Convention has proved this through his research. He says that there is no need for any expensive medication to be cured of asthma.’
When one experiences the falsity of this statement, one loses faith in all spiritual literature
Some rationalists consider the renunciation of the body by saints like Saint Dnyaneshvar, when still embodied as suicide!


Reference:


‘Spirituality’, published by Sanatan Sanstha.
Guruvani, P.P. Shri Ramakrushna Kshirsagar Maharaj Yanchya Upadeshancha Sangraha. Publisher: Rasiklal L. Sangharajaka, Shri Datta Temple Trust, Savedi Road, Ahmadnagar.
1. Pg. 10
Sadhubodh: Shri Gulabrav Maharaj Virachit Prashnottaratmak Suktiratnavali. Ashtamayashti, Publisher: Shri Dnyaneshvar Madhuradvait Sampradayik Mandal, Dahisath, Amravati.
2. Pg. 181
3. Shrigurucharitrakathamrut. Editor: Krushnabhakta Divakar Anant Ghaisas, First edition, Gurupratipada, 25^th February 1986. Publisher: Dhananjay Balkrushna Dhavle, Keshav Bhikaji Dhavle, Samarth Sadan, Pahili Bhatvadi, Girgaon, Mumbai 400 004.