Economic and scientific achievements are not the only criterion for measuring development

India is not just a rising power, it has already risen. Its economy has risen at a breathtaking rate... we look forward to a greater role for India on the world stage,. This statement by the most powerful leader in the world ‘The US President’ created so much buzz across the world as well as in India. Similar kinds of sentiments were expressed by most of the world leaders who had gathered at the G20 summit in India. However, on an introspective note, if one thinks then the question that comes to mind is ‘Have we risen?’ If Yes then to what extent? Are we only happy to see scientific, technological, space, manufacturing & infrastructural development? Is that the parameter of our progress? How do we measure that we have advanced in this age of global competition?

There is no doubt that science has been a wonderful achievement for us. But, how many of us would be aware of the fact that beneath this development juggernaut, our true wealth is lying buried? Don’t we realize that our spirituality and our values are all lying buried under materialism? Remember, our world is not confined to just the physical aspect of life, there is psychology, the spirit, the inner self with which we identify.

What we need to know today is Who am I? What is it that represents us? Unfortunately, science does not give us direct answers to all these crucial questions. Science and technology have made us materially prosperous but spiritually impoverished. Our minds are fatigued, our souls are aching and hence we need to reclaim our lost energies by charging ourselves spiritually.

There is no dearth of knowledge or ideas in the world, but one needs to understand that we have to experience knowledge rather than just know it. The age of science does not refer to technology only; it also refers to the attitude, the lifestyle and the total philosophy of life. With years of development, we have learnt to swim across the ocean like fish and to fly across the continents like birds, but now we have to learn to walk on earth like human beings.

Today the same scientists who were deep-neck busy in their laboratories throughout the day are moving from physics to metaphysics because they want to know reality. We should remind ourselves that we are not prototypes manufactured on an assembly line; we are all individual personalities having our own identities based on our values, personality traits & mannerisms. Each one of us carries a certain set of values given by our parents & teachers. However we should remember that values cannot be known or taught, you have to imbibe them. We can have a long list of values but basically, a value is that for which we dedicate our life.

One needs to experience values practically & enlighten oneself to make a difference in the whole world. Just imagine, if one realized, that a refined individual can uplift and enlighten the whole atmosphere, then what would be the scene when every individual would be refined with values? Doesn't it sound amazing?

So, treat yourself as that anvil from which the spark should come which inspires each person who comes in contact with you & passes on the values of respect for life, compassion, wisdom, and honesty to all because the more we share our values, the more it multiplies.

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