Spirituality is generally understood as a unique activity. One is said to be spiritual if s/he wakes up early, eats sattvik food, follows certain disciplines, and so on. Conversely, a person who indulges him/herself is considered materialistic. Likewise, one, who renounces home, wears ochre robes, is spiritual and not one, who marries, begets children and does a regular job.
Thus, spiritual life is generally understood as different from and opposed to “normal life”. Therefore, one of the most common questions asked by householders is, “How do we strike a balance between spiritual and material life?”
These questions arise out of a misunderstanding of the essence of spirituality. Spirituality is not doing something special, but doing everything in a special way. It is not a particular activity, but the vision behind everything we do. It is not something to be done for some time; it is the attitude behind all that we do, at all time. It is living a life of values. All actions performed in the light of such understanding come under spirituality.
Spirituality is a vision of life (darshan). A spiritual vision integrates our personality, expands our vision and harmonises our life and relationships. It is to see unity in diversity. The result of such a vision is loving service to all. This is opposed to a divisive and partial vision. A spiritual person does not have double standards — good in personal life, selfish in professional life. Since spirituality pervades all he does, there is no question of balancing spiritual and worldly life.
Action is the insignia of life. None of us can stay, even for a moment without action — either physical or mental. So to act or not act is not a choice. But we do have a choice in the actions we perform and our attitude towards them. Prohibited, immoral or illegal and self-centred actions are to be avoided. To willingly perform our duties as per our roles in life, without likes and dislikes is spirituality.
Right action must be performed with the right attitude of dedication. When the altar of dedication is high, actions are selfless. The person who works for the sake of the community or the nation is more selfless than the one who works only for the family. The higher the altar of dedication, the greater is the spiritual unfolding.
The highest altar is God. So spirituality is to dedicate all actions to God — to work for His sake.
(Swami Tejomayananda, head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, is an orator, poet, singer, composer and storyteller. To find out more about Chinmaya Mission and Swamiji, visit www.chinmayamission.com.)
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