IMPORTANT UPDATE: The following article (including the update at the bottom) is inaccurate about spirituality. The description of spirituality below is at best of my personalized version of spirituality. That doesn't entirely invalidate the article, but just to be clear, I no more subscribe to any type/version of spirituality. Philosophy, pursued in a right way, is the only way to attain wisdom.
Spirituality (truth-seeking) should come as a key to a more fulfilling life, and not lock one out of life.
The point of truth-seeking is to be able to enjoy life more; to be happier than before. To live more fully than most people we see around.
I have earlier described spirituality as a science of happiness. But most people in spirituality (including myself until recently) are so engrossed with ending the suffering that they miss the point of spiritual development. Putting an end to all suffering won’t serve to the goal of better life; because the end of all suffering will be the end of happiness too.
This is a crucial realization —
End of suffering may be possible by rationally understanding the fundamental truths of existence and subsequently going the way of complete dissociation. But that, I think, would be tragic. It’s like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It may free the seeker of suffering, but it would rob him of happiness and all the good things of life too.
Development should enable more living, and not thwart living; otherwise it’s anything but development. To not experience happiness is to not live – at least not as a normal human being. And to be experiencing happiness means there will be suffering too.
All suffering is not to be eliminated. The trick is to understand suffering, and embrace it. Then it’s not burdensome at all. When I say getting rid suffering is possible, I would be referring to this.
Learning non-attachment is important. But staying that way for life isn’t necessary. Like wearing a rain jacket is important, but equally important is not wearing it when it’s not raining. Because the point is not protection from life, but protection from the undesirable elements of life. The point is better, healthier life.
Spirituality (truth-seeking) should come as a key to a more fulfilling life, and not lock one out of life.
The point of truth-seeking is to be able to enjoy life more; to be happier than before. To live more fully than most people we see around.
I have earlier described spirituality as a science of happiness. But most people in spirituality (including myself until recently) are so engrossed with ending the suffering that they miss the point of spiritual development. Putting an end to all suffering won’t serve to the goal of better life; because the end of all suffering will be the end of happiness too.
This is a crucial realization —
End of suffering may be possible by rationally understanding the fundamental truths of existence and subsequently going the way of complete dissociation. But that, I think, would be tragic. It’s like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It may free the seeker of suffering, but it would rob him of happiness and all the good things of life too.
Development should enable more living, and not thwart living; otherwise it’s anything but development. To not experience happiness is to not live – at least not as a normal human being. And to be experiencing happiness means there will be suffering too.
All suffering is not to be eliminated. The trick is to understand suffering, and embrace it. Then it’s not burdensome at all. When I say getting rid suffering is possible, I would be referring to this.
Learning non-attachment is important. But staying that way for life isn’t necessary. Like wearing a rain jacket is important, but equally important is not wearing it when it’s not raining. Because the point is not protection from life, but protection from the undesirable elements of life. The point is better, healthier life.
"But most people in spirituality (including myself until recently) are so engrossed with ending the suffering that they miss the point of spiritual development. Putting an end to all suffering won’t serve to the goal of better life; because the end of all suffering will be the end of happiness too."
ReplyDeleteWow. This is so true! Very well said.