Yoga is the only solution that can eradicate man's mental pollution

The ongoing communal or religious disharmony in various parts of the world reminds us that there has been a vast discrepancy between what religions have preached and what most of their followers have practised. Going by the frequent confrontations happening between two west asian countries as well as unresolved conflicts between two eastern European countries brings one to the conclusion that religious preachers and believers have done more harm to the cause of religion than its opponents. Blind faith, meaningless and tiresome rituals, needless physical austerities, dryness and dogmatism, and unbridgeable gulf between religious preachers on such vital topics as the true identity of God, their rigidity of views, narrowness of outlook and intolerance are some factors that are responsible for repulsion in the minds of the people towards Religion, as a result of which it has become uninspiring. Though there is no dearth of temples, mosques, synagogues, vihars and churches in the East as well as in the West, the number of persons-devotees, visiting these places, has considerably dwindled, which clearly shows that religion has quickly been losing its appeal.

Most religious preachers do not have any reliable experience about God, nor is there any unanimity among them even on fundamental subjects such as soul. They can neither explain religious truths logically nor inspire others from their practical example. All this has naturally led people to distance themselves from religion. This, however, does not mean that religion has lost its utility or is unnecessary. If religion loses its influence on the minds of scientists, politicians and men in general as it has been losing, the world will soon face an unprecedented catastrophe. It was not so long back when Swami Vivekananda reflected on the necessity of the concept of universal religion for society.

He realized the nature of man, according to which mankind in the whole world has been trying to look beyond in the quest for his ultimate destiny or search for God. Therefore, the whole of the world community today expects a religion, that is acceptable to all, is universal in its scope and teachings and works as a unifying force. The need of the hour is to thus have a religion of spiritual love and brotherhood that can inspire men, women and children to build up a new world of total peace, amity and spirit of brotherhood. Looking at various problems that are faced by our society daily, it can be easily said that spirituality can easily tackle those with ease. For example, problems like over-population, eve-teasing, criminal assault and adultery, are due to inflamed sex-lust. Economic exploitation, bribery, adulteration, etc. are due to man's greed.

All wars and acts of violence are due to anger. Many countries are backwards in the comity of nations because of sloth or laziness. All these basic evils are recognised by religion and it gives ways to eradicate these if man cares. It has been found and thoroughly researched that easy Yoga is the only solution that can eradicate man's mental pollution and if man does not take to ways of spiritual wisdom, purity and Yoga even at this critical phase of the world, natural processes will set at work to wipe off these dominating evils and corrupt society built up on false values with its strong hand of nuclear weapons and grave elemental fury. Now it's up to us what way we want to go!

(The writer is a spiritual educator and popular columnist, views are personal)