Spirituality is not about a religion. Neither is it about gods and rituals. Spirituality is a principled way of life; it's an attitude. There are a dozen attributes to life, to building a positive attitude, embedded in the very word 'SPIRITUALITY'. Let me walk you through each letter of the word 'spirituality'.
'S' stands for Seva, to think beyond yourself and reach out to others. Seva is to be selfless in your thoughts and way of life. Most of us are sevikas or sevaks in some form or other; for we know that the joy of giving is far greater than the joy of receiving.
'P' signals two aspects, the first of which is the passage of life. None of us are immortal. So on this passage of life as William Penn, the poet, wrote, "I expect to pass through the life but once, if there be any kindness i can show, let me do it now, as i shall not pass this way once again." And even as you do so, please do it with a sense of perseverance for perseverance can move mountains. So run your own race in very act of life.
Moving on to the three 'I's in the word 'spirituality', these reflect three distinct values. Integrity, Inner Voice and Inspire – be inspired and inspire others. Integrity is character. Inner voice is the stairway to spirituality as it always goads you to do what is right, to live by one's conscience and by values. Following this stretch is inspirational for you and others as well.
'R' is to learn to smell the roses on your way. Being positive is so restorative. You will never feel that you are ever in the midst of a storm. Every situation can then be faced with equanimity and fortitude. For one knows that this, too, shall pass.
'T' stands for transcendence, so transcend with inner reflection, meditation, yoga, self-control and compassion. The second 'T' says, if you practise these creative ways of looking at life, you will surely attain tranquillity and be at peace with yourself.
'U' is all about the universality and oneness of humankind. On realising this, increasingly you are able to brush aside prejudices. Differences cease to matter. Aren't each one of us just a speck in the universe?
'A' is for acceptance. Accept yourself and others unconditionally. 'A' also entails the total negation of arrogance, and with humi-lity being the ACE in your chosen field.
And this brings me to the letter 'L' that reminds you to have the largeness of heart to remember only the goodness of people and blanket out any pain or hurt that is encountered in varying degrees of relationships. The past and future are of no relevance as we cannot control or predict either. Most important, learn to travel light. The Moment is now. Life is too short, so cherish every moment.
'T', the second last letter in spirituality, stands for Trust. Let me share something that Steve Jobs would say: "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life." How true!
And finally – 'Y' – the last letter, stands for You – and for me, too. Only YOU can make this happen.
The writer is chairperson, the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development.
