All problems arise due to our failure to observe moral or spiritual values, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj Ji
Most of us when faced with a problem or a situation, naturally give a physical, mental, verbal, psychological, emotional or spiritual response to it. This is obvious because every emotional situation works as a stimulus and draws some kind of response from a living person. The response to a problem may be political, economic, legal, social, militaristic, diplomatic, technological or any other. Take, for example, a difficult situation, created by a large group of people in a particular part of the country who demand some kind of autonomy because, for a long time, they have been neglected by the ruling government which has been paying more attention to other regions. Now, in these kind of situations, the government can make either a political response and give them some solution by passing an act in parliament or they can make an economic response by assuring them that they will now spend a big amount for the latter’s development. Likewise, when there is a conflict between two countries, they may address themselves to the problem politically, diplomatically or militarily.
Apart from these, there is something called a ‘spiritual response’ which is ideologically, qualitatively and experientially much different from all these kinds of response. ‘Spiritual’, in this context, does not mean ‘religious’. It is based on the understanding that in our body dwells a soul i.e. a being, which, by its very nature, is altogether different from the physical, the transitory, the ephemeral, the phenomenal or the perishable. This being is of the form of point of light, which is not material or mundane in its nature but is divine. An essential characteristic of this light is that it is conscious in the sense that it is capable of thinking, understanding, judging, feeling, remembering, learning and of being morally good or bad. The spiritual response, therefore, implies a response that is based on moral goodness, love, peace and purity of motives, thoughts and actions. This is derived from a spiritual outlook. It is based on the belief in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of god. This response is hinged on the firm faith that we must do good and never do bad because the law of karma is inviolable and we will suffer as a result of our bad actions. Thus, a spiritual response is a moral response based on the awareness that we are souls and brothers. This response is based on the understanding that all problems arise due to our failure to observe moral or spiritual values and can, therefore, be solved — in the true sense of the word — by observing those values.
The spiritual response is not always or generally a reaction to a situation. On the other hand, it is an action. A person who makes a spiritual response does not follow “tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye” policy. His attitude to an angry man is not built on anger or hatred but, instead, he dwells in his original, spiritual nature of peace and love. Such a response, therefore, has a great potential of solving problems calmly, dispassionately, amicably, impartially and in a humane manner with the possibility of divine help. There is now a frequent mention, in the press and from the various platforms, of the need for adopting values. But it is not realised that values, without spirituality, lack a very essential ingredient and are without much strength and divinity. Remember only those moral values, which are derived from the awareness of the spiritual nature of all beings and which have a spiritual content lead to the final solution of all problems.
There are hundreds of thousands of people in the world today who believe that the body is material whereas the self is non-physical i.e. spiritual. But rarely does any religious person live this belief. We most often see that almost every-one discriminates between one person and another on the basis of gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, language, age, etc, in practical life. Obviously, these factors are based on body-consciousness or awareness of the material. These are not based on the firm awareness of the truth that all beings are souls. Thus, there is a wide gap between their belief and practice. So, in the context of ‘spiritual response’, it should be understood that this refers to our practical response to a situation based on this awareness that all of us are souls and brothers. Today, this question of identity or what is called “identity-crisis” is at the root of many kinds of crises, including the “moral crisis” or the “crisis of values”.
The whole concept of ‘soul-consciousness in practice’ may seem to be ordinary. But if we examine its depth, its outreach and repercussions, we will find that it is a revolutionary concept and a remarkable practice that will bring about a paradigm shift in one’s outlook. It has a very high potential of ending all kinds of discrimination and hatred and of infusing brotherly love and spirit of mutual co-operation. The spiritual response based on it will bring a great qualitative difference in our thinking and this will result in ending our problems and ushering new, value based society.
