I am past six and half decades of my life. The definition of spirituality (Adhyatma) has been changing during various stages of my life. My conclusion on the subject of spirituality today is totally different than what is used to be earlier. The realization is delayed, fortunately not lost.

As a child the meaning of spirituality for me was simply poojas and religious rituals elders and parents used to perform. I was made to believe that God lives in places of worship. God showers his blessings if you pray him; you have to pray for success in examinations so on.

In the past man could not understand natural phenomenon around him as a result religious rituals were performed. These rituals were born out of fear of natural phenomenon in man. Today, in spite of so much development of civilization and knowledge man dare not relinquish rituals that he inherited. He keeps on doing blindly what his forefathers did. The performance of rituals and poojas – that are hardly understood by anyone - is considered a great act of spirituality.

Religions have resulted in spreading separatism and hate among humanity. Human history is full of people fighting in the name of religion all over the world.  Even in this age of science and technology the fight in the name of religion is going on with great fervor. Thus religion and being religious is far from spirituality (Adhyatma).

As I grew up further, meaning of spirituality changed to Yoga, Dhyana. While these are important in their place, it is not spirituality in true sense. Yoga and dhyana certainly help in Keeping good health and peace of mind. By yoga here I mean yogic exercises that are too not spirituality. Yoga & dhyana are first steps to attainment of spirituality that is attained by very rare persons - the enlightened yogis.

Yoga & dhyana have been highly commercialized these days by the so called Gurus who are interested only in selling their brand of product. They are en-cashing on most inherent weakness of human nature - that is desire to obtain results without making proper effort to achieve the goal. Hardly anyone pursues these teachings in the true sense. And the main goal of attaining spiritual uplift is lost in trivial gains of materialistic nature.

In the next stage I was attracted to Vedanta.  No one can define God in words but an effort has been made in Upanishads and Geeta to do so to a great extent. All Upanishads revolve around a common theme that has been told in their own way by various sages at different points of time. The gist of this theme is:

“The God is Unthinkable, the Un-manifest, the One of endless form, the Peaceful, the Immortal, the Origin of very Creator, the One without a beginning, a middle and an end, the only One, the All-pervading; the Knowledge-Bliss, the formless, and the Wonderful. Subtler than the subtlest; meaning thereby beyond sub-atomic level. He alone is all that was, all that is and all that will be - the Eternal Self in all. From Him alone everything is born; in Him alone everything exists and in Him alone is everything dissolved.”

Thus it is said that experiencing one’s own self in all beings and all beings in the self, one attains Adhyatma not by any other means. This is the eternal truth that has nothing to do with any religion. It is the true religion for humanity.

God can never be found in crowd or noise. He is in peace and tranquility. Mother Nature is his manifestation.

From above it is easy to conclude that we can not know God with the help of mind. Then what is spirituality? Spirituality is living in tune with nature. Performing all work with full heart and mind in it. Doing everything that is beneficial for nature and all living beings and non-living things around us without selfish motive. Finding joy in colors of sky, chirping of birds, beauty of rivers and mountains. Always inquiring, ‘WHO AM I?’

This will give much more peace in life than anything else. This is the spirituality (Adhyatma) as I know it.