Do you know why sane and saintly advises to shun materialism have proved to be futile always? It is plain and simple – seed of materialism had been sown by mathematics and mathematics is integral part of our life and therefore, it can’t go away in practical life; in ideal life – possibly!
Money, modern gadgets, medicines, science and technology would have not existed without “mathematics” as well as “man’s urge to have more and better”, which is actually materialism!
Materialism and mathematics go hand-in-hand to bring progression as well as regression!
Can we be spiritual without material?
Preachers, Gurus, First of all, let us deal with lot of misnomers around spiritualism or being spiritual.
Prima facie, very definition of being spiritual or spiritualism in holy books, philosophical essays, articles written by believers and preachers is vague and leave you confused. Some spiritual leaders have defined it as the way to connect to the higher being – God or divine powers to get bliss and peace during life and after death, get relieved of sufferings and physical pains of self, dear ones and some noble souls wishing that for all people on this planet. Many pursue spiritualism for progress in their profession or business, success in their pursuits, getting more money and means to live luxuriously. Some intelligentsia like to be spiritual for getting benefits from their good karmas but no bruises from bad karmas! Many follow it, especially in east, to get moksha i.e. getting rid of their physical being, not knowing what it exactly means!
It is not a question of being for or against spiritualism or materialism. Point to be driven home here is that while taking recourse to spiritualism, we are intimately entangled with material or physical objects.
Another great gaffe is – being spiritual has been linked to good thoughts only, forgetting that good would always go with bad, as much as progression goes with regression!
To put the fact simply – spirit essentially means thoughts!
Now, to get thoughts, you need not only mind but also matter – brain. It is hypothetical that spirit, in other words thoughts can exist without brain. Further, what spirit or thoughts are supposed to be about? Thoughts always and actually comprise of images and ideas about matter!
This proves that matter and spirit co-exist; these cannot exist without each other. Matter creates spirit but spirit (thought) controls matter!
Look at godmen, gurus or preachers, who talks or write about spiritualism. They need material to communicate – mike, mobile or other form of media, apart from an audience. They need means to commute; money and organization to promote their ideas or thoughts about faith. Is not it then hypocrisy to advocate shunning materialism?
Where does this lead us to?
Above analysis brings following facts on the surface:
Not a huge fan of spiritualism or materialism for that matter, but some eye-opening observations in the post for sure!
Thanks!! 🙂
Many thanks for your candid views!
However, no human or living being can escape involvement with matter and spirit. The post has nothing to do with religious or non-religious aspects. It is more about correcting key notions that all of us have. I think it appropriate to mention here that our knowledge can’t be complete without understanding the aspects of desire for more and better (materialism) and thoughts – good or bad (spiritualism)!
Transferred from LinkedIn
Monica Sharma – A very interesting read and also makes one question the conditioning that we human beings are put through…… Plenty food for thought…
I am very grateful for your wonderful and valid views!