All World
Gayatri Pariwar

Attributes of a Spiritual Person

The twenty-first century has witnessed an increasing inclination of the masses towards spirituality. People now like to be called spiritual and want to incorporate spirituality into their lives. Not only in our land but even in foreign countries, people are taking interest in spirituality rather than religion. However, there are many who cannot even differentiate between the two. They do not understand how different it is to be spiritual than religious.

For instance, one who regularly pays a visit to his place of worship and prays every day may be called religious, but it is not necessary that he would be spiritual as well. Similarly, can a person practicing yoga and meditation regularly be called spiritual? Probably not! Even if a person is affiliated to some spiritual organization and follows its tenets sincerely cannot essentially be included in the sphere of spirituality.

In fact, a spiritual person is one who is as affectionate towards others as he loves himself. This can only be the case when one is refined from within and possesses self-knowledge. Such a person loves and honors every visible component of the nature and has a generous outlook towards it. This is because he knows that basically all of them are the manifestations of the same entity.

It is possible that a person who daily visits the holy places like temples, mosques or churches may not have even a bit of love or respect for others. Similarly, the thoughts and actions of those who practice yoga or meditation regularly may be lacking love and compassion. On the other hand, there may be people who may neither be following any particular religion nor visiting any holy place, nor performing any prayers-meditations, nor affiliated to any spiritual organization. In spite of this, they are spiritual because they know about the element of the self. Their heart overflows with compassion, generosity and affection for others. They are always ready to help.

Spiritual people are naturally modest. On the contrary, most of the religious people are overwhelmed with arrogance and pride. Conceit, harshness and malevolence are clearly visible in their thoughts and actions. Such people may be religious, but still be despicable.

Can a person be religious and spiritual at the same time? It is certainly possible but only if a person is executing his religious rituals by heart and not doing them mechanically. There are certain special attributes which can be seen in the life, conduct and actions of a spiritual person through which he can be identified to a great extent. Some of these are: 1. A spiritually evolved person distances himself from publicity and popularity. He never endeavors to attract the attention of others towards himself because he is completely free from arrogance and any such aspiration.

2. He is sensitive towards all forms of natural beauty and equally respects every member of the empire of the nature.

3. Unconditional love is the basic mark of a spiritual person. He does not evaluate others. Criticism and analysis is not in his nature.

4. He has already risen above the malefic tendencies of sensuality, anger, arrogance, avarice, attachment and hatred.

5. A truly spiritual person is the source of Prajó³ (righteous wisdom) and prudence. His knowledge about life, nature and the rules of universe is far better than that of ordinary people. This is so because he has attained this knowledge through self-realization, rather than reading the scriptures.

6. The most extraordinary and praiseworthy virtue of a truly spiritual person or Guru (mentor) is that he never considers himself as a mentor. Highly humble, such an individual believes that he still has a lot to learn. He hesitates to be called a mentor. While performing spiritual and divine actions, he feels that ‘this is not me but the God residing within me who is accomplishing everything; I am only a medium’.

7. Even if such a spiritual person or mentor possesses divine and supernormal powers, he would not use them for his personal benefit. For instance, revered Gurudev, in spite of possessing numerous supernormal powers, used to meet people in such a simple manner that they would never realize that they are conversing with an eminent spiritually evolved personality who owns such supernormal powers.

8. He never orders anyone but only advises. He never creates fear in people, but only infuses love and courage. He never gives rise to abhorrence, rather proves helpful in developing their self-respect.

9. A spiritual person is not only dedicated towards his own upliftment but also helps in taking other people towards the ultimate aim of their lives and shows them the right path. Although he can teach certain rules and methods which are good for the material life, but he does not forces anyone to follow them.

10. One who has reached the peak of spirituality seldom speaks about his life or background, unless they are of any relevance or a source of motivation. On the other hand, those devoid of spiritual virtues show arrogance and keep on boasting and discussing only about themselves. Such people only like those who appreciate or flatter them; and those who refrain from this, appear wicked to them.

11. Evolved souls are inherently creative. Their knowledge emanates from the subtle-causal realm. As their knowledge comes from deep within, it is spontaneous. Therefore, they do not require reading or referring to any book.

12. One who has understood the core of spirituality gets elevated from the narrow boundaries of class, religion, caste, gender and nationality. Thus, he has a global outlook and this may be seen in his conduct and behavior. He considers the entire human race and even other creatures as variousmanifestations of God. For him, the entire world is his own family.

13. A spiritual person never falls into arguments. He knows that a rigidly opinionated person cannot be satisfied through logic.

14. As far as possible, a spiritual person endeavors to incorporate divine traits in his life. He does not believe in delivering discourses; instead, he tries to imbibe them in his own life.

15. The source of joy of this person is not the momentary pleasures obtained from the sensual impulses, but it is internal bliss.

16. A spiritual person never ever hurts anyone in anyway, nor makes one feel guilty. He never gets anything done by force or by dominating others.

17. Such a person reaches a point in his spiritual growth where his personal ambitions vanish. His activities are not aimed at personal gains. He has given up all his personal ambitions under the divine will of God.

18. A spiritual person never analyses the outer personality of a person. He seeks only the virtues hidden deep within one’s soul.

19. He never expects anything from anyone. Yet, if someone does even a small favor to him, he appreciates it a lot.

20. Although a spiritual person or Guru is unattached to the materialistic world, he is full of divine love for his companions and disciples.

In this way, the personality of a spiritual person is divine and supernormal. In spite of living in this world, he lives like a boat sailing in the water. His life is oriented towards God and illuminated by the radiance of the soul.

There is no desire for name, fame or designation in his life, which is overwhelmed by the elixir of devotion. A stream of divine emotions flows in him; and this is the reason, why such people have natural love for the nature and every living being of the world.