5th Day: Spiritual areas of Development
I am dumb struck. There was so much I didn't know about the spiritual aspect of life, which I came to learn through this particular session by two scholarly figures. There was so much I came to know about spirituality through open sharing, discussion and self-realization. The topics spelled out for the day were all relevant and important.
It was great to learn that, The Royal Academy practice of Ngondro for 30 minutes everyday was one success story that made our way forward more promising and open. With the same hope we want to cultivate many other good practices to happen in our schools is the most expected out of this workshop. I strongly feel practice like this must come as part of the curriculum, rather than making it a co-curricular activity or something else.
To me spiritual development means, by large knowing the root of one's existence, co-existence of all sentient beings, knowing the existence of the God or spirit and beliefs to name a few.
I was more than happy to learn that spirituality and religion go hand in hand. Spiritual approach is basically an individual practice for self-betterment, whereas religion is specific to family, community or group of people. However, on a lighter note both mean the same, which basically tries to create a just and harmonious society.
After knowing the root of the spiritual development areas, I was more of a spiritual kind than a religious person. However, through this training, it means to say quite many aspects of one's spiritual development. At the same time I am eagerly waiting for my roadmaps to get into work soon.
***A Personal Thought***
Getting deeper into such topics always inspires me and more so it makes me a good human being altogether. There is no doubt that I've learned so much from the session through reflection and self-actualization. Indeed, I was happy to declare that I am getting better.
Let me put spirituality and religion in my context.
In my observation, our society is more of a religious kind. We tend to manage and put up any highly valuable Choesham (altar) with all colorful embellishment to golden embroidery to nangten (treasure or invaluable items) of any value. Even the working class family makes an effort to display at least a decent altar. Nonetheless, the well-to-do family can afford any luxurious Choesham with all kinds of Nangten (treasure items). I've seen the grandest Choesham in many homes, which I always regard and wish for. The goodness is only getting better.
What a way to worship God!
However, learning about spiritual development, I came to realize that we are lacking spirituality, which is an integral part of everything, particularly on the religious aspect. Over the years, selfish and greedy motives are only getting promoted in the name of religion and other festivals and not being spiritual in the core of the heart.
Because it makes sense -I heard people say so many things about other religions, people, race, humanity, community, etc. This happened to me a few years back. An old man with rosary beads in hand and chanting lips, couldn't control his emotion, and landed up instructing an oncoming gentle man to kick that ugly dog which came in search of food. The sole purpose of being too religious is defeated. The other occasion I came across was heart-wrenching to me at least, a lady of middle age, with all her frustration, had abused an elderly lady, who had taken her belongings by mistake, who was on the same pilgrimage trip. The sole purpose of her religious trip is defeated.
Therefore, I see spirituality is really missing its core place in the heart of humanity, rest is fine!
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