Month: December 2018

   

NUTS AND BOLTS OF PERSONAL HAPPINESS. Last one for 2018.

Wishing everyone the very best in health, happiness, and success of all kinds. Not just a happy new year, but new and spiritually fulfilling years ahead. Let’s aim to confine our politics to governance and remove it from our religions and sciences.

Happiness, contentment, and fulfillment in mortal life are as crucial as oxygen itself. Experiencing unhappiness can help us appreciate the true value of happiness when we contemplate our mortality. I have previously discussed my concept of the triangle: health, happiness, and success. Without good health—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—it’s simply illogical to expect happiness. Without both health and happiness, personal success holds no real value regardless of others’ opinions. It’s vital for every mortal to grasp that this journey is exclusively theirs, and interestingly, they are solely responsible for cultivating their personal happiness.

If we neglect this understanding and become consumed with continually striving for higher levels of existence at the expense of happiness, inevitably we will leave everything behind. Our imperfect way of living may serve as a lesson for others. Success isn’t about impressing others, fitting in, or gaining admiration; it’s about personal fulfillment. If you spend your entire life unfulfilled, your efforts may benefit others, but they will be wasted on you. Steve Jobs comes to mind as an example. Despite his contributions to humanity, few now speak of him just a few years after his passing. My mention of him isn’t due to his impact on humanity, but rather his unfulfilled personal legacy.

If you find fulfillment in work and achievement, remember to keep your focus on your mortal nature as well, as it’s an inevitable part of life. It’s a bitter truth that we often fail to acknowledge.

Spirituality is the practical wisdom of mortality. When religious individuals act collectively to influence and enforce virtuous living, they inadvertently surrender to politics rooted in prejudice and discrimination, whether towards outsiders or even their own who don’t strictly adhere to extreme religious doctrines. This renders their actions and teachings politically tainted. If they advocate for good deeds, that’s commendable, because spirituality is about practical wisdom concerning mortality. Remember, your good deeds lead you towards God’s path; otherwise, you risk straying from spirituality and becoming a mute follower of a cult-like group. You lose your voice as a godly CEO, becoming insignificant, and even viewing yourself as a designated sinner.

The wrongs begin when religions claim exclusive access to the path to God. God, spirituality, and the good deeds of individuals are not political or exclusive to any particular group. These are universal concepts. Therefore, any group attempting to monopolize them through exclusive rights is simply engaging in politics. As individuals, we must break free from such politically tainted belief systems, speak out against them, and advocate for equal human rights in matters of spirituality. Respect each other as cells of the Almighty.

No one, and I repeat, no one, has exclusive rights to good deeds, spirituality, or God. These are matters between God and the individual. The introduction of intermediaries results in three immediate wrongs. Firstly, it politicizes the sense of belonging, placing power above all, even if it means compromising belief systems. Secondly, it diminishes the individual’s significance and their worthiness of a direct connection with God. Thirdly, it distorts the definition of goodness, making actions virtuous for some while condemning others, thereby portraying their God as discriminatory and prejudiced. Do you believe God to be discriminatory or prejudiced? If so, you must understand that spirituality, not politics, paves the path to God, and it’s time to cleanse your belief system if you seek true spiritual fulfillment. Attaining godliness isn’t about ritualistic acts or specific prayers; it’s about understanding and practicing genuine prayers—serving humanity and aiding the weak and needy to the best of your abilities are endeavors cherished by a spiritual God. Removing politics from your belief system and embracing service to humanity as a whole is an individual endeavor to achieve spirituality. God does not belong exclusively to any one group; otherwise, we would have a clear winner by now. Therefore, believe in universality, not in the politics surrounding spirituality and God.

If you were to ask a parent to favor one child over another or to exhibit prejudice or discrimination towards their own children, even as humans, bundles of emotions, we would deem such behavior wrong. How then, can we expect a spiritual entity like God to discriminate and exhibit prejudice towards certain groups and not others?

A human individual remains a human being, regardless of their affiliations with specific groups. Claiming that even God is discriminatory and prejudiced implies that we as individuals must overcome these unjust traits. There is only one way to achieve this: by acknowledging our worthiness to connect directly with God. Are you prepared to recognize your worth and implement this in your personal, individual, and mortal journey? Ask yourself why not. You’ll likely discover that the middleman or your group’s influence seeks political control over you, brainwashing you into believing that you are weak, insignificant, unclean, and unworthy of a direct connection with God. Ask a mother who nurtures her child whether she considers her child a sinner unworthy of love.

If you believe yourself unworthy, ask why. Is it due to the influence of the middleman?

When you recognize the political motives behind your religious rules, customs, and traditions, you’ll achieve the status of CEO of your life, as you were created or evolved to be. The topics of creation and evolution provoke passionate debates based on our limited and constantly evolving knowledge. I fail to comprehend why we invest so much passion in being right when these discussions rely solely on assumptions. Whether you believe in God or evolution, remember that we are all created or evolved beings. If you’re continually learning, discovering new things every day, and exploring, why do you assume to possess all knowledge? Why do you make claims akin to those of our ancestors? They waged wars over their sense of belonging, and we continue to do so. Why haven’t we evolved beyond this? It’s an indisputable fact that we are always learning and evolving. This area demands our evolution because, as individuals, we possess free will and a personal sense of justice.

Your ability to choose has always existed and always will, aiding you in making choices. Yet, by surrendering your power to the politics of belonging, you become subservient to your group. You conform to their rules, traditions, and customs, failing to look beyond obedience. By self-regulating, you neglect your individual responsibilities. If you don’t take charge and prioritize spirituality over religious politics, you become complicit in transforming religion into a political entity. Since God, spirituality, and humanity are devoid of politics, your actions, or even your intentions, tainted by the politics of belonging, reflect poorly on you.

Politics plays a role in humanity, but spirituality fosters peace of mind, contentment, happiness, and fulfillment on a personal level, particularly for mortals. This is especially crucial as we are all aware of our mortality, whether we accept it or not. In mortal life, spirituality awakens individuals to their true purpose. Conversely, political groups exploit individual lives for their gain, sacrificing them in power struggles against opposing factions. If you allow yourself to be used for political ends, that’s your prerogative, but remember, causing harm to others, particularly the innocent, carries a personal price. You possess free will and are accountable for your actions, regardless of your group’s politics.

When religious-based spiritual crimes are committed in the name of God, take a moment to reflect. Even CEOs experience personal guilt and turmoil. Such burdens are especially heavy for mortals. It’s akin to living in a personal hell. Consider a war veteran contemplating suicide. The damage wrought by nationalist and religious political affiliations remains incurable, as these very groups are responsible for the harm inflicted. Imagine the consequences of losing hope and faith, of forsaking spirituality entirely. Blindly following a politically-driven religion exacts a higher price for mortals.

Becoming depressed, anxious, or losing hope and faith during your temporary stay on earth is too great a cost to bear for the approval of any group. You have the choice: opt for spirituality, follow God directly, and prioritize your actions over prescribed prayers and fasts in the hope of gaining entry into heaven during your earthly tenure. Remember, God needs you alive to uphold divine justice. Spirituality isn’t about mere ritual; it’s about practical prayers—serving humanity, aiding the weak and needy, and striving for spiritual fulfillment.

Maintain your earthly years by embracing action-based spirituality. Find comfort in your existence by believing that your practical deeds have merit. This perspective renders mortal life heavenly, erasing the fear of hell. True happiness isn’t found in group approval but in leading a reciprocally beneficial life. If emotional wounds afflict you, incorporate practical prayers into your life; they nurture fulfillment. The purpose of mortal life is to live it fully.

God relies on the physical actions of human individuals to remain relevant. Your personal actions toward God aren’t political; they form the bedrock of spirituality and the divine itself. Prefer spirituality over group affiliations; doing so guides you towards embracing humanity as a whole. It bolsters your personal sense of justice, vital for cultivating holistic well-being. Embrace your free will and personal sense of justice, qualities inherent from birth but suppressed by education and the politics of belonging.

Recognizing and valuing the importance of the human individual becomes simpler when we witness spiritual actions manifest through individual deeds. Dare to remove the human individual and contemplate whether spirituality can endure. Understanding God necessitates comprehending the significance of the human individual; anything else is merely politics. Even in Hinduism, a cow is revered more than a living, breathing human being. Misunderstanding breeds prejudice and discrimination, empowering some at the expense of others. These misunderstood individuals fail to comprehend both the health and of his. are moving individuals.

The importance of the human individual becomes easy to recognize and understand when we see spiritual actions take physical form through individuals. I challenge you to remove the human individual and see if spirituality can function. Understanding God—what God is, why God is, and how God is—becomes crucial. Without grasping the significance of the human individual, nothing is possible; all that remains is politics. In Hindu religion, even a cow is often esteemed more than a living, breathing human being. Lack of understanding can breed prejudice and discrimination, granting power to some at the expense of others. Those who fail to understand themselves often become unquestioning followers of preached doctrines.

Equal justice for all stands as a pillar of spirituality. Most of our politically-tainted religions fail this spiritual test by asserting exclusive pathways to heaven, suggesting that others are destined for hell. This renders their conception of God as discriminatory and prejudiced, akin to flawed human attributes. Human individuals must recognize that true spirituality is based on understanding, not political manipulation. A religion used for political ends ceases to be a spiritual system. While politics is necessary in daily life, spirituality also holds its place. Mixing the two proves hazardous; historically, it has harmed individuals as both victims and perpetrators of spiritual crimes. In today’s world, where mass destruction weapons have replaced swords, this mixing threatens dire consequences unless addressed.

The spiritual realm is inherently personal and private. There’s no room for mixing politics with spirituality. Individuals possess the ability to exercise free will and empower God’s relevance. They can opt to segregate politics and spirituality distinctly. Consider: if God cannot translate spiritual actions into physical reality, how vital is the living, breathing human individual? Yet, we’ve historically waged conflicts over trivialities like dietary choices or religious practices—illustrating the urgent need for governments to separate religion from politics, science, and justice.

Realizing this importance, assume personal and individual responsibilities. Value yourself; otherwise, you risk being used or manipulated by others. Even worse, you may descend into collective mob mentality, disregarding personal responsibility, let alone a godly one.

If your actions threaten your happiness, contentment, or install personal guilt, wouldn’t you want to safeguard yourself from yourself? Our life wisdom stems from grasping mortality; acknowledging vulnerabilities should humble us. It’s our individual duty to weigh everything before acting, yet our deep-seated belonging to political groups often obscures our true selves.

Free will and personal justice have accompanied us from our earliest awareness, albeit often suppressed. Today’s world sees a stronger, empowered individual who enhances, rather than hinders, group dynamics. Democracy and equal human rights have become the norm, challenging conservative factions reliant on religious politics for control. In today’s interconnected world, via the internet, global awareness fosters the survival of spirituality, albeit imperfectly.

The era of equal human rights draws humanity closer, aided by the internet. The next leap forward necessitates transcending group affiliations to embrace humanity as a whole. Embrace the personal responsibility to question your own group’s wrongdoings, especially when contrary to its professed values.

These responsibilities form the foundation of future governance systems. Law and order should extend beyond individuals to encompass corporations, political entities, and governing bodies—curbing spiritual crimes by all entities, whether individual or collective, in the name of nationalism, religion, or God.

The United Nations, while existing, remains impotent without enforcement mechanisms, hindered by veto systems that denote discrimination and prejudice. It must evolve into a genuine global authority, imperfect yet striving for improvement, much like all human endeavors.

Honesty remains a universal truth, once linked to Godly virtues, now aligned with scientific proof. However, our diverse perspectives often blur these truths, leading to unnecessary conflict driven by ego and pride. Businesses disparage competitors to boost their own products, yet such cutthroat tactics have no place in governance, which should prioritize justice, equal human rights, and spirituality.

For millennia, politically and commercially driven religions have exploited God for personal gain, even waging wars in God’s name—tragically costing innocent lives. If we remove the politics of belonging and focus on spirituality, our world could improve. We’d no longer need to barter for heaven or fear hell. Even in today’s scientifically savvy era, spiritual pursuits—providing personal peace, satisfaction, contentment, and happiness—naturally appeal to humanity’s innate hopes and aspirations.

Why are we wired this way? What does it reveal? Start asking these questions to uncover truth, whether spiritual or scientific. While imperfections persist, we can evolve, transcending politically tainted truths to foster a better world.

Fighting over divinity or the unknown remains one thing; disputing scientifically validated concepts like global warming borders on absurdity. Our susceptibility to such debates stems from emotional vulnerabilities like ego and pride—fueled by our ingrained sense of belonging. Understanding these dynamics can open doors to consolidating humanity and nurturing spirituality, uniting us under one shared humanity.

Eradicating prejudiced and discriminatory politics from religion would foster global peace and inner contentment, enabling individuals to lead emotionally, physically, psychologically, and spiritually fulfilling lives as mortals.

If you are taught to believe in virtue, honesty, compassion, sacrifice, justice, kindness, and, above all, love for all people around you while you are growing up, I call these the spiritual jewels of the human individual. If you are raised with all these values but restrict them to your own group of people, it becomes wasted effort, because exclusivity reeks of prejudice and discrimination—two things that have no place in humanity as a whole, which depends on a system of equal human rights. Politically, you can identify as both a human being and a member of a specific group, but ultimately, it takes individual effort to be the CEO of your own life. Belonging to a group—whether it’s nationality (Canadian, American, Pakistani), religious affiliation (Muslim, Christian), racial identity (Black, White), gender identity (Male, Female), sexual orientation (Gay), or occupation (store manager, doctor, plumber)—is merely an aspect of identity bestowed upon us. These identities do not define us as individuals; they are part of our acquired knowledge. Being born into a human family is what truly makes us human and defines our real identity. So why can’t we look beyond our acquired identities to see and embrace our true selves?

We raise our children with the knowledge of spiritual jewels, yet we often hand them guns or bombs to harm innocent beings. If you wear your spiritual jewels, they should be for the benefit of all humanity. Therefore, if you conform solely to the politics of your own group without taking personal responsibility as an adult, your own group has stripped you of the human jewels you were adorned with. If the value of these jewels is confined to your group alone, then they are not truly yours; they should belong to you as a human being. Since these jewels are not tangible objects, their value is only realized when a living, breathing human individual wears them.

It may seem so, but I believe our thoughts do not originate in our brains; rather, our brains are simply the organs that process these thoughts. This is why we can learn new things from our teachers and societies. To me, our thoughts are brought forth by the entity residing within our functioning body and brain. The “you” part of your triangle (your body and brain) brings these thoughts to life or gives physical form to our ideas, thereby creating our realities. Regardless of what we have been taught, it is ultimately our choice whether we act upon these teachings—whether for good or ill.

This underscores the importance of individuals discovering their inner selves so that we can put an end to the injustices we inflict upon each other as a mass of people. If everyone were to make decisions independently, free from group affiliations, we could challenge the right and wrong actions of our group’s political agendas. This is especially pertinent when it comes to the politics of belonging. You cannot simply give everything to your group or allow them to rob you of your spiritual and personal jewels in the name of security.

Your spiritual jewels are what elevate you to the status of an evolved human individual. Functionally, we are no different from other creatures; we eat, drink, live, fall ill, grow old, and die like every other living being. However, it is our spiritual jewels alone that distinguish us as human beings. You cannot truly be proud of being born a human unless you display these jewels throughout your life. As creatures clad in clothing, capable of driving, flying, swimming, creating weapons of mass destruction, and bringing destruction upon each other, it is our spiritual jewels that imbue us with virtues such as honesty, compassion, sacrifice, justice, kindness, and, above all, the ability to love all.

Worldly and political knowledge is not—repeat, not—spiritual knowledge. Our spiritual jewels are the knowledge we can truly be proud of. While all forms of knowledge are necessary for societal functioning, we must never allow anyone to rob us of our personal values or spiritual jewels. Above all, we should never let our own groups strip us of the very knowledge they imparted to us from the outset. One might argue that they taught us about our spiritual jewels—indeed, most religions teach spirituality—but throughout history, and even today, our conflicts are often bloodier because of politicized religions and the misuse of religious doctrines to justify violence.

If you think Saudi Arabia and Iran are fighting over oil-rich fields, you may be overlooking the fact that even seemingly noble entities like religion can have a dark side. The underlying motive behind all religious conflicts is political control and power; spirituality plays no part in it. Always remember, once knowledge—especially spiritual knowledge—is imparted to you, it becomes yours to use at your discretion. Therefore, be responsible and do not allow the politics of belonging to rob you of your own values.

Today, if everyone were to wear their personal jewels, value other human beings, and question the political agendas of belonging, it could potentially create a war-free environment. Our groups have had their responsibilities, but they have failed us as individuals. Therefore, we must take charge and refuse to kill each other in the name of our groups, nations, religions, and, especially, in the name of God. Even God has been an innocent victim of our politics; let us start with rectifying our relationship with God.

Cease killing in the name of God and learn to treat others as you wish to be treated. No one is inherently superior to others by virtue of clothing, technology, race, gender, appearance, nationality, or religious beliefs. Our differences would lose their meaning if everyone began valuing and proudly wearing their spiritual jewels. As individuals, we have the right to defend ourselves, so why do we willingly allow our groups to take advantage of us?

Since our “you” part is composed of the same substance as God, it is God who holds us together and gives our existence meaning. When discussing religion, it is inevitable to discuss God. If you speak of God with complete conviction and devotion, the opinions of others should not disturb you. A belief system that genuinely represents God’s will cannot logically endorse the killing of innocents. From capital punishment to barbaric practices, these are all human creations designed to control and dominate individuals.

I can confidently state that countless innocents have lost their lives, not just physically but also emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually, due to extreme interpretations of religious doctrines. Extremism in any form of human knowledge is illogical because human beings are constantly evolving. Our knowledge today may be proven wrong tomorrow—a phenomenon that has occurred throughout history. Extreme views are typically held by those comfortable with the status quo, often conservatives who resist change until there is no alternative.

If, in the dead of night, you seek answers about yourself—just to satisfy your personal curiosity—you may find yourself losing faith in religions. We are evolving beings with unlimited potential, but religions impose significant restrictions on this evolution. Insecure individuals often submit to these restrictions out of fear for their personal security, regardless of how politics seep into spiritual belief systems. At the end of the day, if you do justice to your thought process, it can lead you beyond the boundaries of your religious beliefs. If you refuse to explore because you fear labels, rejection, or even death, you are being political—remember, politics has no place in truth or spirituality.

The realm of religion is fraught with politics, from religious wars to rules, traditions, and customs—each speaks for itself. To truly follow your God-given potential, you must examine these from an external perspective. If you remain within the boundaries set by others, you are not fulfilling your God-given potential. You can spend your mortal life in subservience or find liberation within yourself. The real “you” belongs to God, who created human beings as evolving entities meant to reach the heights intended for us—a spiritual journey. By purging politics from our lives, we can achieve inner security because we often seek security from our own kind, rather than from humanity as a whole. If we can transcend the politics of group belonging and uphold personal and spiritual responsibilities, we can overcome even the genetic predisposition to group behavior, prioritizing humanity as a whole.

Every action you take stems from your God-given free will, accompanied by the blessings of God. Since God has granted you free will, you are responsible for your actions. Naturally, you require the gift of life—oxygen and a living, breathing body—for your actions to manifest. Now, ask yourself: where do you stand personally? Do you control everything you do, or are your decisions influenced by your religious beliefs? Are you willing to kill in the name of your religious beliefs, and if so, why? When you honestly seek answers, you will uncover political affiliations and the powerful sense of belonging that drive your actions. You may find ego, pride, and honor—all products of group politics, aimed at gaining acceptance from the group to which you belong.

Why settle for mere acceptance from one group when, as an individual, you were born into humanity? You can ask a national champion in any sport what their next goal is, and they will tell you unequivocally: a world championship. Why can’t we view humanity in the same light? Because each of us wants our nation, religion, or clan to dominate the world. But what does that truly mean? It means we seek to unite humanity under our own banner—yet, group politics still prevails. Our attitudes must change individually. This change begins when we learn to respect each other spiritually, recognizing the divine in every living human being. After all, God’s spiritual work is carried out by human individuals—interestingly, even the negative actions we attribute to the Devil are perpetrated by human beings. Thus, despite millions of years of evolution, our groups have failed us spiritually. Understanding the value of our spiritual jewels can enable us, as individuals, to evolve to the next level and achieve the peace humanity has longed for.