Such thinking arises due to a lack of understanding of the definition of Spirituality. The following points will help clarify the definition of Spirituality as well as the misconception that it is only for failures in worldly life.

• Pursuing Spirituality does not mean giving up or being unable to pursue worldly ambitions.

• It is rare to find individuals who are a failure in worldly life, but who are successful in Spirituality, unless the failure in worldly life is by choice. Virtues like perseverance, hard work, tolerance, etc., which are required to succeed in worldly life, are also required to succeed in Spirituality.

• Worldly status or success has nothing to do with the spiritual inclination one has, as Spirituality is an art of living, whatever one’s lifestyle may be. The lives of spiritually evolved people or Saints in the past and present amply illustrate this. For example, Saint Meerabai was a princess, whereas Saint Tukaram was a poor shopkeeper. Mahatma Gandhi was a successful lawyer before he gave up his legal practice to lead India to its freedom, applying spiritual principles.

• Many people, successful in worldly pursuits like the great American musician Roland Hayes, attribute their success to their spiritual beliefs. (Refer to the Need for Spirituality section of this Issue for how a former Miss Universe did the same.)