Palak Agrawal
Spirituality has become the latest buzzword. Everyone is riding this wave—especially in the digital world—by sharing meditation techniques, yoga and pranayama practices, tips on renunciation, and the benefits of mindfulness.
Spirituality means different things to different people. Popularly, it is regarded as “being nice, warm, and forgiving” to everyone you meet. Some consider it a way of connecting with our inner selves and believing in a higher, formless power.
For me, spirituality was simply meditation in the beginning: sitting silently for hours, letting thoughts pass by, and watching my breath.
But what does it mean to be a spiritual person? Do they see the world differently?
Do they live in the world differently?
Yes, spiritualists see the world and live in it differently.
It took me three years to come to this conclusion. It happened because I was fortunate to meet my Guru at the right time.
When we are no longer tied to the aspects that divide humanity—such as caste, creed, colour, gender, nationality, and beliefs—and lean more towards rationality instead of superstition and dogma, we become spiritual beings.
Transcending every artificially created label to recognise the divinity in all beings is spirituality. Simply put, it involves identifying and fighting our vices, treating everyone equitably, and working toward the betterment of society.
The path is demanding but undoubtedly the goal of a soul’s journey.
Ananda Marga: The Path of Bliss
According to Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, the founder of the socio-spiritual organisation I belong to—Ananda Marga—developing love and care for all animate and inanimate beings around us is the core philosophy of spirituality.
“When the underlying spirit of humanism is extended to everything, animate and inanimate, in this universe—I have designated this as ‘Neohumanism’. This Neohumanism will elevate humanism to universalism, the cult of love for all created beings of this universe,” Sarkar said.
He was known among his devotees as Shrii Shrii Anandamurti Ji, fondly called Baba (the dearest one). Baba said that tuning into one’s consciousness and letting go of animality is the first step toward becoming a spiritualist.
Baba combined two vast concepts—spirituality and societal development—to put forward the idea that we are all part of one cosmic family. The organisation’s philosophy states that self-realisation and service to all are core components of spiritual growth.
Hence, he encouraged his devotees to look at the world through a universal lens and develop compassion for all. It can be challenging to grasp such ideas and implement them in everyday life.
Being religious was a big part of my identity, which translated to looking outward: idol worship, adopting rituals without questioning, and incessant prayers.
Fortunately, after spending three decades on this planet, I met my Guru. He transformed my inner self through deep self-reflection and guided me to turn inward to find the divine light.
He helped me understand that spirituality is not limited to soul-searching through meditation and mantras but also encompasses being empathetic, offering selfless service, following a strict moral code of conduct, consuming a sentient diet, and leading an exemplary life.
Self-Realisation
Self-realisation means diving deeper into understanding oneself: our true nature and purpose in life.
It is a thorough process of developing self-awareness and finding the answer to the fundamental question, “Who am I?” Moving beyond identifying ourselves with our physical form, thoughts, memories, actions, achievements, and failures means introspecting about our real selves.
For me, consistent meditation—singing kirtan and sitting in ideation on my Guru—helped me to see things clearly. It was an arduous task to dissociate myself from name and fame and look beyond the material things that, at the time, owned me.
With time, I started detaching myself from everything temporary and began to ponder living a life beyond the greed for more.
Miraculously, within a short period, I could feel my inner world lighten and heal. It was entirely due to my Guru’s grace.
Eventually, a sense of empathy arose for everyone around me—even for the people I once despised. It renewed my sense of being, and I could feel not just the psychic but also the physical effects of this transformation. I became peaceful, energetic, positive, and lively! Shadows of comparison, envy, and worry began to fade.
When we start seeing ourselves as universal beings, we cut down on having opinions about others and their lives and begin to accept things as they are.
Devotion and surrender are the two best things that happened to me during this process. I realised that not everything we’re taught since childhood about the art of living has to be the ultimate truth for us.
Innumerable mystical things are happening even as we exist. It is up to us to open our hearts and minds to the power that does not belong to this world—and to stop running the rat race and find our unique path.
Service to All
Baba staunchly advocates balancing both the spiritual and material worlds. Like Krishna, he guides his devotees to discharge their social duties and responsibilities while renouncing the fruits of their labour.
When we start to consider everyone around us a part of the giant cosmic family—and all created beings as the Supreme’s children—it becomes difficult to remain oblivious to their pain and suffering. Disregarding anyone’s needs (including those of plants and animals) hampers our spiritual progress.
According to Baba, we are indebted to society since we utilise its resources to live and grow. So, whatever we owe to society must be paid back before our final deliverance. We can repay this debt through selfless service.
It could be as simple as feeding a stray dog or watering plants. In our everyday lives, being there for others during tough times, providing food and medical assistance to underprivileged people, and ensuring education for the most marginalised groups are acts of service.
As I became involved in service projects, my heart filled with gratitude and a deeper eagerness to extend help. It provided a profound sense of satisfaction and connection that transcended social differences and judgments.
As they say, karke dekho, acha lagta hai.
Conclusion
I have become a completely different person within three years of my initiation into Ananda Marga.
As a human being, I have evolved tremendously by gaining control over my mental, physical, and psychic propensities through the tools, techniques, and knowledge I have learned from Marga.
I have begun to understand the real meaning of the term “humanity” and the immense responsibility we shoulder as beings with the consciousness to discern right from wrong.
They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—and I have just begun to walk.
Palak Agrawal
