Geetika Ram from San Francisco asks:
Dear Ma'am, a friend of mine recently introduced me to your columns on HindustanTimes.com, and I have been fascinated by the knowledge that I never even knew existed. I am particularly impressed by your beliefs that all power to live our lives is contained within our own souls, as I have always felt that I am one of the chosen people of God. Even though I, having been born and brought up in the USA, have never been the religious, temple going sort of girl. Please could you advise me where I should start my spiritual search, so that I can go in the right direction from the word 'go'!
Veena Minocha answers,
Dear Geetika, yes, you are indeed one of the 'chosen ones' as are all of us humans, who have chosen to forget our Divinity and inhabit this physical body with all its limitations, to work out our Karmic lessons. Please note, that going to temples and performing religious rituals has only a limited amount of significance, as far as spiritual evolution is concerned.
Traditionally, Indians have been taught that belief systems of any religion are only constructs of the mind, and provide a good foundation, or starting point in our spiritual quest. We all know that no one becomes self-realized, or attains spiritual transformation into the light, merely because he adheres to certain rules and rituals of any organisation.
Books and writings, even our scriptures can take us only so far, though they are valuable guides in moving us in the right direction. They can show us the path of light, but we have to make the effort to move into that Light, without which no positive growth can evolve.
God is not to be found in temples, elaborate ceremonies, or sacrificial offerings and fasting prayers. God has to be realised as our own higher self, the soul force within us which carries us as a living being, capable of understanding our divine lineage, and merging into its Great power.
Books and writings, even our scriptures can take us only so far, though they are valuable guides in moving us in the right direction. They can show us the path of light, but we have to make the effort to move into that Light, without which no positive growth can evolve.
God is not to be found in temples, elaborate ceremonies, or sacrificial offerings and fasting prayers. God has to be realised as our own higher self, the soul force within us which carries us as a living being, capable of understanding our divine lineage, and merging into its Great power.
The new age human has no 'religious organisation' which he must join, for his quest is a very personal one, and is based on the premise that all humans are born equal, whatever their cultural and economic standing might be. That all human beings are worthy of God's love in equal measure, that no one is above, or below another. That each human being is a being with the free choice of how he wishes to live his life, and that no one has the right to interfere with that choice!
The eternal religion of the New Age Human is merely the unified desire leading to the action of stripping away the veils of ignorance, useless desires, and egoism. In short, it is the purification of the mind and senses to become as close to our God selves as we can possibly be.
This will lead to bhakti, a pure love and yearning to be one with God, the ultimate bliss!