Question: How do you
differentiate between spirituality and materialism?
Answer: Materialism means accepting
the supremacy of matter and setting material goals as earning money, name and
fame, worldly prosperity, etc., as goals of life and striving for them.
Spirituality means accepting the supremacy of spirit, or God as the ultimate reality,
and striving to achieve it.
Question:
All spiritual people suggest us to connect our daily actions to spiritual
life. How to do it?
Answer:
This can be done by various means: First, by setting a spiritual goal in life.
Instead of a worldly, mundane goal, decide to attain God-realization.
Question: Will that be
enough?
Answer:
Together with this, consider yourself a spiritual aspirant. At present, you
consider yourself a student or a doctor, or a teacher. With this, also strongly
feel that you are a spiritual aspirant. If you can consider yourself as a
servant or a son or daughter of God, it is still better. Spiritual life becomes
easy and natural if the goal of life and our concept of ourselves are changed
and are given a spiritual dimension.
Question: What about
our day-to-day activities?
Answer:
Consider all actions as worship of God. In some form or the other, all
activities must be associated or connected with God. When you cook food, cook
for God. Eat it after offering it to God as prasad, etc.
Question: Can my
relations with my family also be spiritualised?
Answer:
Yes, Love your friend and relatives through God.
Question: How?
Answer:
Here is an example. On the surface of the ocean there are waves and bubbles.
The bubbles come together and get attached to each and love each other.
Sometimes, one or two burst also. Now, we and our friends are like bubbles. We
come together and love each other. God is like the ocean and forms the
substratum and basis of our existence. So, first we must get in touch with
God—the ocean, and through Him, relate ourselves to others since we are all His
parts.
Question: It means we
must first think of God?
Answer:
Unless you first get united to God through constant remembrance, you would not
be able to unite others with Him.
Question: But constant
remembrance of God is difficult?
Answer: With the help of the name of God this becomes
easy. Constantly go on chanting the name of God or one of the many devotional
songs. Then a part of your mind will remain engaged in God. Pictures of gods
and goddesses, of saints and prophets remind us of God and help in producing a
spiritual mood. 