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.
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