When spiritual intelligence is added to material intelligence, we see the big picture and not create a small world around us, says AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI
We may consider ourselves wise, which most of us educated persons do, but unless we reach the soul level, we are really not wise. We can at best maintain ourselves, but we are unable to obtain peace and bliss — the intrinsic qualities of the soul. In fact, we deprive ourselves of these highest achievements, nay boons. And to reach this soul level, we need to study bona-fide spiritual literature, such as the Bhagavad Gita, hear spiritual discourses, practise what we learn from them and discuss our experiences with like-minded persons. Then we can claim to be really wise. See for yourself what all benefits you will be entitled to by doing these extra efforts.
Our desires will become streamlined, ie they will not be without limits and will be strictly guided by dharma, ie what is really proper taking into consideration everything that we know. And, believe
it or not, God will fulfil them because God loves dharma and its followers. (Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8)
When we follow scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, we are guided perfectly. We will know exactly what we need to do about almost everything, including our bodies, minds, etc. In the verse # 6.17 specifically, the lord guides about the maintenance of the body, which helps reduce suffering.
Mind is a real challenge for everyone including saints. lord Krishna guides about how to control it. He states that this difficult to control mind can be brought under control by practice and detachment from sense objects. (6.35) Then, it will become peaceful and really useful. Positivity will flow out of it, whereas we are generally afflicted by negativity. And we know how negativity hurts.
Intelligence is the next beneficiary. When spiritual intelligence is added to material intelligence, we begin to see the big picture, and not create a small world around us and our narrow concerns. This spiritual intelligence lets us know what is worth doing and what is not, what is to be feared and what is not to be feared, what binds and what liberates, etc. And one who is connected to God gets wisdom in plenty. (15.15)
One will know that being dutiful is compulsory, not an option. Duties must be done according to time, place and circumstances. (3.8) If anything, the lord has emphasised this in multiple verses.
There are other benefits as well in pursuing this line. The fear of death lessens and for saints it disappears. They realise that death is a change of body and nothing else. It is not such a great misfortune as we assume it to be. We begin to enjoy God’s patronage, which entitles us to many benefits like being able to tackle whatever we are faced with in our lives. (18.58) When we are connected to God, we effectively become parts of Him. (9.29)
We will be increasing less fearful, which in itself is a great boon because fears, anxieties, etc spoil everything for us. We will no longer be crazy for material objects except for maintaining ourselves well because they only bind. Rather we will be motivated to make spiritual progress, which is the real thing in the soul’s eternal journey; everything material is left behind upon death. We will know how to deal with other souls, and will not be jealous of them.
lastly, a good connection with God, if achieved, pleases God no end. He empowers such persons to be able to do amazing things like conveying His messages to the masses. I welcome your comments.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com