I have always wondered about what is the meaning of life? … We grow up in an ever changing environment and try to find the meaning therein . Our material world and all its offerings seem real and engrossing, but we are always groping in the dark to find our footings. And one day, we have to leave it all and go. At this point it all seems meaningless…
To find our true life purpose, the easiest option was to turn to spirituality. Of course, my first exposure to spirituality began at home by studying Jainism. This gave me an interesting exposure to the fundamentals of karma philosophy and information regarding the souls journey towards ‘completeness’. After studying Jainism, I studies all other available philosophies of India and also other major philosophies from around the globe. Being a science student, I often wondered why there were so many spiritual schools of thought, and some of them with contradictory views too. I decided to explore the scientific basis and the commonality in different philosophical ideologies. My innermost desire was to know my true nature and my purpose.
I realised that the fundamental principles of all spiritualities were the same. Though they were lost in time and buried in the adaptations and cultural variations of the world, some concepts were surprisingly similar. However, the world was focused on the ‘adapted’ versions of spiritual practices rather than look at the fundamentals. It appeared that all philosophical schools were adaptations of a master science….. which carried the secrets of life and the universe we live in. It became necessary to integrate and amalgamate the scattered spiritual wisdom into a holistic science. That thought became my mission.
My quest to understand the real nature and purpose of existence, involved meditating, contemplating, feeling and verifying philosophical paradigms and practicing them. Very soon, an intriguing and inspiring concept appeared from nowhere …
“ Know your self and you will know everything……”
This is a revolutionary thought – ‘spirituality is primarily about knowing and experiencing your true SELF’. When understood correctly, this is a profound statement of great spiritual significance. One must keep in Mind that knowing can happen at multiple intellectual levels and experiencing at different levels of consciousness. Knowing is not limited to the mind-senses apparatus and the Experiencing is not limited to the body consciousness. It is required to develop the faculties of ‘knowing’ and ‘experiencing’ at higher levels. The development of our inner virtues is the essence of spirituality. Simultaneously, we must eliminate those factors that diminish or pollute our virtues – our intelligence and our consciousness. This ideology is confirmed by the sanskrit word ‘Jaina’ – which means the conqueror. And Jainism is the science of conquering. One who masters the process of conquering ones inner enemies is the true spiritual scientist.
I looked at the methods of developing my spiritual virtues and succeeded in seeing the light within. In our innermost dimensions of our existence, we are free from limitations of space and time and experience the present as eternity.
‘You can only know the present. Everything is always present. What exists in the present, is reality. You can only feel your presence. Everything is part of your presence. Your pure presence is the universal reality’
The compilation of the essence of transcendental spiritual practices is MAHAJINAM.