By: Sr.Jayanti
Source: The Daily Guardian https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/view/2107/the-daily-guardian/15
Dated: March 1st, 2025

Following a chosen spiritual path, and applying spiritual principles and ethics in a practical way in our lives has never been more bombarded by such huge external influences. The world is at a very critical point and the forces of negativity are very strong. On the other side, there is an awakening, and many are finding spiritual paths and living lives of goodness. Goodness always wins because the original state of the human soul is goodness. We have moved away from this goodness but people are now beginning to wake up, and the more we talk of this goodness and demonstrate it, the more others will be influenced.

The problem is that our conscience today is influenced by so many external factors that few know what is right or wrong anymore. It is the conscience that has to be cleaned to be able to reveal the inner goodness, and the way to cleanse the conscience is through meditation. If we want to have peace in our hearts and good relationships with others, there are very simple and clear teachings that we can follow. We must fulfil all our familial responsibilities, but take time early in the morning for the self, spend time in silence and introspection and study spiritual knowledge. This will bring the clarity we need to see the way forward. 

I will know if the path I have chosen is the right one firstly, by having all my questions answered. Secondly, the understanding that I gain will not remain theoretical but when put into practice will help me progress, and then I will have the authority of experience. Faith in what I follow cannot be blind faith. There must be faith in the intellect, not just the mind, that can swing this way and that in moments. I will see the proof in the lives of others on the same path, and in my own life. 

No matter what is happening externally – the deep divisions, climate change, the erratic economies – when I begin to see life from a spiritual perspective then I understand that what is happening. All the violence in many forms, is something within being expressed externally. Take climate change for example; if I want to make a contribution then I can simplify my needs, and bring about the awareness of inner peace as I deal with family, neighbours, animals and nature. This would be of great value and benefit. It has taken some time, but people are now beginning to talk about change in lifestyle and personal transformation and even spirituality is being taken very seriously. People are now beginning to understand that it is the move away from spirituality, and our inner values, that has caused the chaos. More and more people are interested in plant-based diets and in holistic approaches to medicine and alternative lifestyles. Hearts that had become cold are warming. The journey from head to heart is the longest journey we ever make. Where we feel love and compassion is in the soul, and so is the faculty to understand and reason, and so having the awareness of the soul, in terms of the self or others, makes that journey so much shorter. 

Meditation and spiritual study are vital for us to remain uninfluenced by world events and the media onslaught. Gathering together with friends who share the spiritual path to talk of spiritual things, and meditate together, makes our awareness stronger. It may seem dark at the moment, but day always follows night and the world of the future is of truth, love and harmony.

To cultivate the strength and determination to be ethical, to do what we know to be right, and stay strong and not give in to old habits, we need meditation. Meditation is not only about the soul, the inner being, but it is also about the Divine and connecting with that source. When I am in soul awareness, I am tuned in to the frequency of the Divine. This being is the source of all spiritual power, of love, peace and truth. As I walk the path in this awareness, practising every day and throughout the day, a few moments each hour, then none of the destructive forces will pull me. This will first affect my own little world, but as we approach the time of critical mass together, cleaning the conscience, doing the right thing, bringing forth our natural goodness - the world will turn around.

Sr.Jayanti is the Additional Administrative Head of Brahma kumaris.