One of the best definitions of spirituality I have come across was from Nisargadatta Maharaj, an Indian mystic who lived in Mumbai from 1897-1981. He operated a beedi (cigarette) shop and gave spiritual teachings from his apartment that was attached to the shop. His teachings are from the classic Advaita Vedanta school of non-duality. He said, “Spirituality is nothing more than understanding this play of consciousness—try to find out what this fraud is by seeking its source.” Excerpt from: Consciousness and the Absolute: The Final Talks of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
This definition of spirituality points to an exploration of the spiritual healing journey, that each person must personally undertake to understand the meaning of life. In investigating ourselves, we come to know the source of this illusion or play of consciousness. Nisargadatta explained, “Spiritual knowledge should not be studied; it is knowledge derived from listening. When the listener hears it, and accepts it, something clicks in him.” This teaching is a very advanced one and yet this is essentially the path to true spirituality.
There is a glut of information available under the category of spirituality that spiritual seekers have to sift through to find answers for themselves. How does one distinguish between what is religious dogma, what is New Age drivel, and what is Truth? As Nirsargadatta pointed out, “When the listener hears it …something clicks in him.”
What is “Knowledge derived from listening?” I believe that what is being referred to here is a listening with the heart. All the mystical teachings tell us that we already know the truth, but we are lost, we have forgotten. The spiritual path is essentially about mastering our minds so we can access our true nature once again. Nisargadatta Maharaj said, “There is nothing to seek and find, for there is nothing lost. Relax and watch the “I am.” Reality is just behind it. Keep quiet, keep silent; it will emerge, or rather, it will take you in.”
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“When the listener hears it …something clicks in him.” Never to be forgotten, remembered always with wonderment…that intuitive click, that inner gut feeling propels me along on the path to understanding myself.
I just know, sometimes, when what I’m seeking is the right one. It must be that click!
Hi Marion,
We come into this world with a setting for knowingness, that inner click, that goes, ” aha!”
You said it so well, “Never to be forgotten, remembered always with wonderment…”
Thank you for your beautiful words!
Warm peaceful cheers.:D
Last 4 lines says it all. Sai baba told one of His devotee that there is only 1 difference between you and me. That I know I am part of Parmatma and you don’t.
Hello Vinod,
We are fortunate to have the teachings of those great beings who tell us that there is nothing to find. We simply have to change our perspective.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Peace to you my friend!
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