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By Sanjib Mukherjee,
Question: “Can Spirituality Be Learnt From Reading Books?”
Sanjib: Our vedic scriptures describe 4 pathways for each individual to reach their highest spiritual goals. Karma Yoga is the path of action, Raja Yoga the path of Meditation, Bhakti Yoga the path of love and devotion and finally Jnana Yoga the path of Knowledge. Books, articles, scriptures are all an essential component to Jnana Yoga and thus to answer your question, yes spirituality can be learnt from reading books.
Knowledge is naturally prevalent within us all. Deep down inside we all intuitively know what is right from wrong, but whether we follow our judgements is another matter altogether. The fundamental beliefs of yoga are centred around the notion that all of us as individuals, collectively belong to a higher divine consciousness from where we originate and ultimately where we will all return. The source of our very being, is the source of all wisdom.
Knowledge can never really be gained, it can only be discovered from the depths of our minds. Think about it, whenever you read an inspiring piece of literature or dwell upon an enlightened master’s words, do you not feel a sense of recognition with the words they speak? It’s almost as though these guru’s have articulated exactly what is already in our mind. Whenever we sense such a resonance, we become attracted to those words and feel inclined to read a little further. We can only recognise beautiful literature because that same natural beauty is already manifested with us all.
In fact, to illustrate the above, there is a beautiful story as to how the origins of Ayurveda came into being. One day a student asked an ancient rishi a question with regards to the human health and how it should be maintained. The rishi then gathered all the spiritual teachers of the day and they sat together in deep contemplative meditation. Whilst in meditation, the question of sustaining the human body was asked, and they all drew upon their internal depth of conscious knowledge and began speaking the answers they were uncovering from within. The student who asked the initial question then began to scribe whatever these saints were saying and thus the original texts of Ayurveda were first born.
Books when written from a sense of belongingness can communicate straight to the reader’s heart. The texts written by earlier masters, were written from a heightened state of consciousness and thus carry a lot of weight and profoundness in each and every single word. These energy vibrations reverberate within us all, whenever we read their works with a calm and open perspective.
Many of today’s scriptures (in all religions) have been rewritten or misinterpreted over the centuries, and thus the essence of their value has been lost in a mire of confusion. The result is a world where many people kill or fight in the name of the teachings of Allah, Jesus, Krishna etc… yet if all of these Gods were to sit in a room and talk through any differences, can we honestly see them fighting or killing each other? It’s a sad indication of how their beautiful knowledge has been completely distorted by lesser mortals over the years. For this very reason, it is not only important to read the right books, but the right version of each book as well. All spiritual saints will advise their students to be highly selected of the words they read, stressing the importance of only reading books written from a highly developed mind.
In my opinion, the ability to read is perhaps the greatest gift the divine has ever given us. I truly believe this divine blessing separates us from every other species on this planet. Living in the age of mobile phones, satellite televisions, 3D cinemas, sometimes it can be easy to forget about reading books or indeed dismiss them altogether. To deprive yourself of the time to read a powerful book, is perhaps depriving yourself of one of the most amazing experiences you can have in life. Even if you were to start reading one page a day of an enlightened book, I guarantee you will surprise yourself as how quickly your spiritual growth will rise.
Books keep us constantly updated with the knowledges and practices and constantly remind us
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Agree………….but for learning also there must be an inclination towards spirituality, which comes through past karmas.
I believe when its time for you to be on spiritual path and you are ready to learn – knowledge will come different ways – through books, events, people… You may own all spiritual library and read it but it doesnt mean something will reach you if its not your time (
im speaking just from my experience) . When the student is ready, the teacher will appear (Buddhist Proverb)
Fantastic post! Totally agree with it
Not without gurus guidence.
absolutely true
Thanks Jay, and Yeh Sanju and Neelima you are absolutely right…a guru will always make sure you focus in the right direction..
I agree ………..
The contents of this article are a spiritual enlightenment in itself.. beautifully written..
You are absolutely right, spiritual contentment comes through reading and experience both. Reading keeps reminding you many things which in pace of time with such a busy life you forget, but aactually I feel we don’t forget them, it hides somewhere deep, by reading it splashes out again.
Spirituality just comes what is there to learn. Life teaches gives oppurtunities. Grab them.
Hi Puna, yes spirituality is naturally within us all…..enlightened books and masters merely help us to uncover what is already within..
” True, sanjib, guru accelerates our lives, everyone is spiritual but how many of us realise? people who are in touch with books of spiritualism are closer to god.”
Your answer can be the comparison of knowledge with the information. books can give us the sublime information but when it comes to knowledge there has to be supreme itself….. as to what has been scripted in bhagvad gita in the 7th adhyaya that ” mera parichay mere sivay koi nahi de sakta”…. so supreme has to take the loan of some human form… ( as said in bhagvad gita ” PARKAYA PRAVESH “) and give us that true knowledge which He is departing through the human form who is been said as BRAHMA or ADAM or AADAM or FIRST HUMAN…
The point here is that we should try to excel through BRAHMA or GURU ( watever any1 says) towards the supreme rather than dwelling in GURU….
very clearly with an example that Supreme is the lettr which is posted by the Guru who is the Postman where in the subject matter is Spirituality & we r the end users……..
Hello, great, this is good stuff, keep up the good work.
Never can a person be spiritual by just mere reading books
Ones who feels religion inside may be can say that he is moving in direction of spirituality.
Books do help…theey act as pointers….but rarely u get people who get enlightened..by just reading….other spiritual practices or just pure faith in God or ur Guru can do wonders
very profound and subtle to read…..thanks a lot Sanjib
I love reading books. This is cool:-D
GREAT! article thank you… I’m printing it out and sticking it in my India notebook… am about to leave… in a few hours for AOL Bangalore… love and blessings to you!
Thank you for this inspiring post, Sanjib!
Yes, the spirituality in us can be developed further by reading books which remind us of what we are already aware of. In our fast paced life, when we read such books, our spiritual feelings get kindled. It is important that we practice what we read
For me its come with Guru and his knowledge..because I don’t like reading to much!!
Hi.Sanjib…An uplifting and knowledable morning..!!!
what an amazing question striking me at once ..as i am a person who never believed in reading books..especially the thick and big volumes..i just get scared of seeing and reading so much…but like you said we all have knowledge inside of us
..but when we read a book or a topic or just quote and that strikes us it means we atracted towards that thought and agreeing to that thought as deep in our heart we follow the same belief..but sometime we cant give words to that thought but…
when we read something great writen by others we match ourself with that…so then it definitely uplift us and for me spirituality itsef is just that to be better from where we are…to find weakness inside us overcome fears and become a better human being…
so we may take any path of karma,or devotion..or love..or knowledge or meditation the ultimate is same…and in any path we need to recognise ourself sometime some persons they find their answer from within only…without any guidance or help..
but for some it is not easy to find the answer they need help of Guru or Teacher to help them guide them and show the ways by clearing the doubts constantly and making the way easy for the students..but that Guru or Teacher of course how wil they know so much so they must have taken lknowedge from books and experiences only…that helped them to find and recognise their internal precious treasure of knowledge..and giving to others..
As i realised since i joined this site..so every day i am reading something knowledgeable and wise written by you or some other great masters..
so me who never gone into books of spiritualiy or wisdom ..me also reading now and get atached and feel conected to some of thoughts..and feel postive changes…
so SANJIB..U are absoluterly right in saying that even we cannot read the big volumes stil just one page of the really englihtened books is surely going to help us…like we jsut read blog and if we try to implement just those thought in life we can do wonders..but whatever we read goes to brain but applying it we need heart and brain both but after a lot of struggle if we realy achieve and apply just one good aspect daily then we can just reach higher in any field whether it is SPIRITUALITY OR SUCCESS…
Thank you so much Sanjib for great article i feel conected to these topics and that is why sometime wrtie so much in coment whateve i feel ..sorry for long coments .
..
wishing to get more and more knowledge and more n more change in our lives but POSITIVE AND UPLIFTING CHANGES…
Wishing you all love, peace ,knowledge and WISDOM from our
WISDOM CLUB….:):)
Practice is MUST !
spirituality can,like any other subject,be learnt frm a buk….bt it definitely cannot b practised and applied…..it jus remains a matter on paper,n v cannot knw wn to apply what…..but,wn spirituality is gained frm a master or a guru,it nt only enlightens us wd endless knowledge,bt is also accompanied wd hs countless blessings…..whch provides us the wisdom and the right attitude to apply d knwledge in all times of our life,be it good or bad…..n dr is nothing more valuable than guru’s blessings…..:)
gd morning-yes spirutality comes from within ourselves plus the external awareness too and of course from reading a lot about the famous spiritual people and their views—etc–
One can learn anything from anywhere. We always do, unknowingly and knowingly. Spirituality comes in when we require motivation to live life.
thnx ayesha-but yes spiritualism if implemented n our lives will make a diff-otherwise just readin will make no difference!!
Spiritual awakening is effortless. Like when the clouds slowly fade away in the sky, the sun shines forth on its own” – Brian Piergrossi
Then learning the religious ethos, takes time and need different sources to learn.
yes I agree wid you too prasad-its amazing
Reading can take you towards that direction and after that its GRACE ,GRACE and GRACE!!IT just Happens.:-)
spirituality can be learned after pain .if you have not sufferd you cant know the real meaning ,when you are in pain then only you come to know how sprituality heal you and what is it .
well,our soul is pure,& every 1 is spritiual,by birth,but wid the passage of time,changes occur one way or the other…things getting complex,wid enviourment….so here we need to search our soul deep inside,the urge remains,so guidness either from book or from guru jee,helps further to enhance our way 2 spiritualism….n than we move on wid the flow……
Human being is like a bamboo basket which has been used to carry coal for a long time. By continuous use the basket has become fully black due to coal dust. If such an ignorant human being tries to read spiritual books…it can be now compared similar to carring water in that blackish bamboo basket.
We all know that in no way the water can be carried in that basket for it is leaky. However if we keep repeating the process we will notice that though we couldn’t carry water BUT the colour of that basket is changed and it is gaining the natural colour….
This is how I take reading anything spiritual……this is Kaliyuga..and even a small good deed counts in this era…
well thoughts shared by Manish….
Thanks Ayesha….I know my thought is not ideal but I consider that not all the people in this forum belong to AOL….and many might be sinners like me
the right book can only open new horizons in the way we ‘see’ some things.can make us wonder and question about
Spirituality is the burgeoning (growing) of divinity within the individual. BUT the right book/books can prompt the spirit – so the soul will grow in the process through receiving knowledge & truth – as the old masters said: when the pupil is ready the master appears. God bless
Hi Sanjib, I do agree with you completely… There is four pathways to reach spiritual goals. Karma yoga, Raja yoga, Bhakti yoga and Jnana yoga..
With these four pathways we get the knowledge of spiritualtiy but you have to implement what is given in them. In Gita it talks of Nishikaam Karma (Selfless work- working for the benefit of all wihtout ego centric motives ) which needs to be done.
Mostly I follow the path of Bhakti yoga and Jnana yoga more… and my spiritual growth started through Jnana yoga and I believe in reading powerful books…
Heya Sanjb,
Very well written, the point which has brighter insinghts is If we made all diiferent god’s(what human race cliams) to sit under one roof. Will they plan to fight each other?? This is hilarious and indeed we put this qiestion before so accliamed all spritual leaders form ALL religions, I would seriously like to know how they answer this.. This would give a message to human beings,, we all belong to the one supreme divine power.. hope to answer them on my line..
Thanks
Atul
JGD
Love
no chance
spirituality can b further broadened by reading books!!
reading spiritual books is same as going and listening to a satsang….our spirituality is developed only if we practice what we read…..we may keep on going to as many Gurus but if we donot follow or practice what they preach…….we dont move at all!!
you can be more intellegent by reading and learning good stories and procedures from Spiritual books and for some days/months/years , you will be feel at higher level but it is all mind game. if you are breathing ,your mind is creating desires(good or bad or mixture of both). Reading of spiritual books or any other book(doing any task) create some type of desire within you.
you can do small experiment to see the mind game. Take two books of different subject like one from spiritual area and another having attractive pictures and description of opposite sex. read both of them simultaneously when you are in silence/alone and see you mind inclinations and interests at the time.
Mind always try to enjoy world as soon as possible. you need to realize this fact. after that you will understand there is no significance of filling your mind with a lots of thoughts (good/bad/spititual all are dangerous for mind peace). just try to search a true spiritual master to enlighten your life. the only way to realize spiritualism is true enlightened master.
Do not wait for someone to come at your home to make you peaceful, it is your duty towards life gift to allow it blossom and smile for ever, so come out of you home and wish God for true master.. not for money, job… just to be engineer/doctor… beautiful wife/husband/house/car.. do not ask God for these cheap things..demand something great like silence of mind and world, a true master, happiness for all in world etc.. I am sure God will feel very proud of you now seeing your mind desires of true nature..
Again NO BOOK in universe will work for you.
NO BOOK in world can give you peace and real enjoy.
AFTER HAVING GOD’S GIFT ONE CAN READ THEORY.
Religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell. Spirituality is for people who have already been there” …
Its not something you learn from books…its something you come to understand through experiences in life and what you do with them.
lovely way shared by manish–practical
wow!pallavi has written a very imp point thnx dear-
I have a book “The power of Now” written by Ekhart Tolle,its a guide to spiritual Enlightenment, i have started reading it last week….quiet intresting n making me to think a lot about myself…
Pranam!
the question ,as well as your answer ,are truly informative on the topic Spiritualism. Thankyou so much for sharing your knowledge with us.You know knowledge is like a vast ocean, it is boundless, limitless depth,also a great mystrey for new-comers ,novices on the subject. Please enlighten us all by sharing your wisdom. Don`t ever stop!!!
May the Almighty guide you in all your good works.
Hi Sanjib, I am currently reading a book called ” Autobiography of a Yogi” by Swami Yogananda. Its an amazing…amazing book. I would say a must read for all spiritual seekers. The book might seem voluminous…but as u suggested “reading one page a day” is also enlightening enough. Every page is a treasure to be explored.
I have realized by reading this book that…blessed are we to be on this spiritual path. It does not come easily to all.
God Bless all you out there…..:o)
Love
Deepa
We may learn from any medium books or articles or blogs or by Master..or something easily provided to us…but we should always keep in mind that # Just because a Path or WISDOM is SIMPLE..dont discount its effectiveness or VALUE…
All wisdom is passed down by scriptures. Books are sublime epitome of spiritual guidance. One needs to absorb the essence and practice.the source can be any. YES!!
The first thing very important to note is that spirituality needn’t be learnt at all. Its the worst thing to even try.
Ramya-must buy this book now-to know more soon!
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Books may be enjoyable and act as a sign post, however, the holistic energy dynamic and guidance of a true Master/Guru is needed for one’s continuing spiritual growth.
in reading its says all this you read is nothing if u dont practice… jai ho
READING FROM YOUR OWN PERSPECTIVE AS IN DOING IS FUTILE NO MATTER…..KNOWLEDGE IS KNOWN NOT LEARNED AND ONLY THROUGH THE GRACE OF SAT GURU CAN ONE ATTAIN TRUE ENLIGHTENMENT…..AUM
Hey
Todays question is one of my FAVOURITE writing of yours. I really liked your perspective
Books when written from a sense of belongingness can communicate straight to the reader’s heart. The texts written by earlier masters, were written from a heightened state of consciousness and thus carry a lot of weight and profoundness in each and every single word. These energy vibrations reverberate within us all, whenever we read their works with a calm and open perspective.
SOO BEAUTIFUL- Lovely
What we learn in our heads is nothing if we cannot embody it in practice. That I think is the greatest challenge of being human and the most rewarding.
I feel spirituality is not to be learnt but to be felt as its a state of mind like happiness.i personally feel u can be/ feel really spiritual more by reading people & listening to them & learning from them .