Education in Values and Spirituality :: Spirituality and Values

Module 2 Unit 2 - Challenges to Your Spirituality and Values

You are born into a cultural context which influences your attitudes, sense of identity, world view and values. You do learn about the values of honesty, mercy, hospitality, kindness, courage and integrity, yet double standards, temptations, denial, pretence and secrecy abound in society. Superstitions have created artificial fears and psychological barriers to rational thought. Those who grow up without superstitions are lucky, for their mind is their own, and they speak, think and act according to their conscience.

Indian society is traditional. Modern industries and technical innovations meet physical needs and fulfil material desires, but beneath that layer lies an ancient way of living which has changed little over the centuries. Conservatism resists change in social attitudes and practices. It is customary for the men take care of the socially visible external aspects of life while the women take care of the intangible and socially invisible aspects of life. This set-up has become corrupted by alcohol, excessive sexual desire, violence, lust for power and material wealth. Indian society suffers from corruption and abuse of power which pervade all levels of the hierarchy and all the professions.

Confronting obstacles and challenges makes them clearer. Honesty, integrity and self-restraint prepare a person for a better journey through life. You experience an inflow of spiritual power and exert a beneficial influence on society when you consider negative events and circumstances as challenges to learn from and overcome.

Understanding values requires sensitivity and an awakened conscience. Values are subtle and intangible. Developing values means to ponder their meaning, resolve the inconsistencies within your conscience and consider the effects of your choices on other people. Your ability to handle personal challenges determines your success in cultivating spirituality and values. The habit of justifying your actions dulls your conscience. Your social attitudes then go against moral and spiritual values, although you think you are moral and good.

The quality of intellect or conscience varies. A satopradhan (pure) intellect inclines you towards the truth. A rajasic (semi-pure) intellect will knowingly do wrong, but there will be remorse. A tamasic intellect will be hypocritical, insensitive and inconsistent. Those with a tamopradhan (extremely impure) intellect will be ruthless and without moral scruples.

Prejudice and preconceptions prevent you from seeing clearly, so you must address your tendency to be influenced by others or your old ideas which pull you back into old habits and patterns and delay your progress. Most people suffer from weak egos and relate to others through the mask of false ego. Spiritual practice and cultivating values develop self-esteem and self-respect, while exposing, breaking and melting false ego.

Values and spirituality are rooted in humility, concern for others and self-restraint. Grandiose ambitions and desires are obstacles. Sooner or later we have to face our unrealistic desires and renounce them. At the same time it is important to recognise ourselves, our talents and potential. Self-denial is not spirituality, but self-restraint of negative tendencies is.

It is necessary to know how to handle defeat, failure, defamation and character assassination to become experienced and strong. They provide indispensable lessons that lead to humility.