Religion and Spirituality

Religion and Spirituality

?Steve Correa[i] and Raghu Ananthanarayanan[ii]?

Six decades ago, I was born in Calcutta (Kolkata now) to two fiercely independent Goans and baptised as a Roman Catholic. English was my primary mother tongue. Like most young minds, I grappled with the eternal, evergreen questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? What is the meaning of this world? How can I know God?

?Unlike the three Abrahamic religions, Indic ‘religions overwhelm with a pantheon of Gods till one discovers, “Him who is the one, real sages name variously” (R?gVeda), “my names are many as declared by the great seers” (Maha?bha?rata: S?a?nti Parva).?When one thinks deeply about the word “God”, it is clear that in each of us, it evokes a picture in the mind quite distinctive to each one! Also, how we celebrate the most beautiful in us and our world will be distinctive. The Vedic notion is then self-evident.

In my search for religion, I have stumbled into spirituality. It is best that I define what I mean. When I refer to Spirituality, I generally refer to a broad and inclusive exploration of the human spirit, soul, or consciousness. It encompasses personal growth, a sense of connection to something greater than oneself, and the search for meaning and purpose in life. This spirituality can include practices like silent meditation and engagement with nature, and it does not necessarily involve belief in a deity or a religious framework. However, it does include practices that will profoundly dissolve all the processes in one’s psyche that distort perception and lead to erroneous meaning-making. ?This spirituality is alive to the principle that all actions must simultaneously enliven the self, the other, the context of nature and Mother Earth. My friend, guide and co-author refers to this as the principle of Dharma. I believe we all have a personal dharma that needs to be lived fully, referred to as sva-dharma. The Bhagwad Gita (18.47) asserts, “It is better to do one's dharma, even though imperfectly, than to do another's dharma, even though perfectly”. I have found in this sutra a freedom to pursue the best possibility for oneself.

?This is a different path than the Search for Knowing God. ?In my teens, I wished to deeply understand God and establish a relationship with a divine being or a higher power. A deep dive into theological study, religious practices, worship, and adherence to doctrines would help explain and connect with the divine. I followed the prayer, scripture reading, rituals, and communal worship aligned with religious leaders and faith traditions. ?I even joined the charismatic movement for a while but drifted away shortly.

?My journey with spirituality allows me to accept all forms of practice. It allows for diverse interpretations and practices, accommodating atheists, agnostics, and believers. It does not involve a commitment to a particular religious belief, faith or practice. It emphasises one’s personal experience and individual paths. It encourages exploring one's inner life and fostering a sense of interconnectedness with the universe. It asks the question: what is the difficulty of being Dharmic?

?The Buddha makes a compelling statement: Humans experience hurt and pain in many ways. They then search for refuge, hoping never to be hurt again. This refuge may lead to many forms. They seek refuge in other people, acquiring wealth and power, knowledge and the idea of God. Human beings discover through their experience that the first two refuges are false. The latter two are of the nature of beliefs. Much violence is unleashed before they find out the falseness of these. Only when a person ceases to seek refuge do they take full responsibility and take steps to end their own sorrow.? This captures the essence of the spiritual journey. Though there are many co-travellers from whom to learn, I walk the path alone. The wisdom of Buddha reminds me of a best-selling book by Marie Corelli, The Sorrows of Satan, in which even the devil seeks salvation! For many years, I have been deeply influenced by the book.

?I seek to enhance well-being, foster compassion, and cultivate a sense of harmony with the world. My enquiry concerns human existence, life's meaning, and reality's true nature. This is not an enquiry in theology or metaphysics. Over the years, I have met many remarkable men. They have blown into the ember within me to start a raging fire. Even now, as I recall, their restless incandescence lights me up in spirit and joy. There are many Bodhisattvas I continue to meet, my co-author being one of them as well.

?I discover that my path for spirituality and the search for knowing God can overlap. I continue to walk, assuring myself, ‘neti, neti, anivikshi’ – (look not just here, for much is beyond this). Isaiah (55:12) rightly assures,?“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands”.

[i] [i]???? Steve Correa is an Executive Coach and Author of The Indian Boss at Work, Thinking Global, Acting Indian???

[ii] Raghu Ananthanarayanan is a behavioural scientist, yoga teacher and author of several books.