Saturday Satsang

Hari Om

Today, satsang with Yamini-amma...

"Religion"

Let us first be clear about the origin of the word itself. 

Taken from Online Etymology

Immediately we see that even the word can be debated as to origin! One might be inclined to go with the first of the ancients quoted here, Cicero, and accept that the concept is to re-read. Read and read again is one of the main tenets of most philosophy (and definitely of Advaita). This is the way to properly delve, for we will (or at least ought to) glean something new or different from each reading to help build the greater picture of meaning. That the later ancients then considered an adjustment to "bind fast" indicates the tendency of human nature to build in the controlling aspects of a thing.

It must be remembered that each religion has many practices, but few manifest from the baseline philosophy upon which each doctrine is based. The religions of this world arise from each society's geographical and cultural demands as much as anything. They are man-made constructs resulting from attempts to explain our existence but quite often adopt certain elements of pre-existing pagan practice... drawing people in by keeping things familiar. Doctrines developed by which to shepherd the flocks, and this says more about human nature than it does about philosophy.

In other words, the need for doctrine (and by association, indoctrination) was nothing to do with spiritual enhancement but everything to do with guiding a society along a particular cultural or behavioural path.

The earliest burgeoning of this was not to do with a god or gods or even 'spirit', but everything to do with maintaining law and cohesiveness of life that would balance the community. Thus arose the Ten Commandments and the Chatur VedaaH. What was acceptable behaviour and etiquette in society and what was not. 

Gradually, doctrines within a spiritual construct grew stronger, and the edicts and injunctions ever more onerous as tracts of scriptures were taken out of context and expanded upon. Then, doctrine becomes dogma. It is the dogmatic aspect of religious activity that brings down upon religion much of the criticism and vitriol that can be found circulating.

Thus we must distinguish between living a religious life and a spiritual one. This is oft-debated in the modern age as more and more become disillusioned, disheartened and distant from the traditional faith systems.

To be spiritual does not necessarily mean that one must belong or identify with any particular church/mosque/temple, as can be seen from Swami Chinmayananda's rejoinder to a devotee (sidebar). Spirituality has nothing to do with any building or intellectual structure. However, spirituality can be religious insofar as the learning of any philosophy to the depth that it becomes valuable and meaningful requires us to read and re-read and read yet again. Also that we act upon the principles of that philosophy, giving it life and purpose. Giving ourselves a purpose in life. 

This, after all, is one of the basic needs of the human condition, that there be purpose. Another, and perhaps more fundamental in its way, is happiness. So it could be noted that having purpose provides satisfaction, contentment... happiness. 

Neither does this sense of purpose have to be grand or of enormous public potential (though if it turns to this, how wonderful!) No. The majority of us wish only to navigate our way from birth to death with a sense of having achieved our own small purpose and, perhaps, to have left a legacy through our work or family. That is all. It's really not that big a thing, yet so many seek to create a  mammoth out of it.

The other aspect of organised religion that is tending to be torn down is that of the priest. The fallibility, the human-ness of religious leaders - their feet of clay to use another term - has resulted in a wholesale rejection in some quarters. To be blunt, in all faith backgrounds, some are nothing but hypocrites. What is more, they hide behind their relevant clothes for behaviours that are most definitely on the 'do not' side of the spiritual ledger. Entire philosophies are rejected due to the failings of some who would purport to uphold the values. It is understandable, for we are taught to trust these individuals and the faith structure to which they belong. 

However, to trash the whole for the part that is damaged is an error. For example, do you condemn all cooking pots just because one of them got burnt? Of course not. The need to cook means that pots are required, and the other pots in the cupboard have integrity and solidity. 

Philosophies hold their validity. Apparent failures in them come from misinterpretation or deliberate twisting of them.

Not all priests - teachers, gurus - are faulty. Indeed, most are genuine and seek to practice the philosophy's principles as much as the layperson. Moreover, they have the advantage of immersing themselves fully in the subject matter and can offer deeper insight and stronger guidance on the subject matter.

We all have the ability to read or hear something and know whether a kernel of truth lies within that item. Thus when we hear from the true greats of philosophy, be that eastern, western, or the great unknown, we also can see the common thread from all those traditions. That the human critter wishes only for a happy life; that the purpose of our existence is to work for sufficient satisfaction to gain that happiness. More often than not, such happiness has nothing to do with the materialistic hedonism that currently prevails.

Consequently, many are refinding their spiritual side through connection with nature (forest bathing, hill walking, wild swimming...) and practical outreach - look at the number of groups gathered online during all our lockdowns that may never have occurred had there not been this impetus!

By our very nature as intellectual beings, we need to express spiritually - whether that be with or without a sense of deity. Whether or not we choose to take up such spirituality in a regular expression of some practice determines whether or not we are religious. Even sportsmen and women are religious in their practice! The important thing is having a single focus, a sense of a goal to be attained, and then be prepared to work it, work it, work it...