Common Misconceptions about Spirituality

Rejecting Spirituality as 'pseudo-science' due to encountering fake psychics

ABC News investigated the authenticity of spiritual phenomena such as psychic perception, astrological readings, spiritual healing, etc. in a report titled, 'The Power of Belief - Legions Put Their Faith in Superstition and Pseudo-Science'. As a part of the research, the investigating reporter looked into the phenomenon of walking on hot coals, visited New Age emporia, checked the accuracy of his horoscope, and invited a voodoo priest to place a curse on him. His research concluded that people are attracted to belief, often in defiance of evidence. According to him, it begins at a young age, with our capacity for imaginative play, which leads us to believe that our imagination is true.

One does not give up on medical science altogether just because one comes across quacks in the field of medicine. Similarly, one should not write off spiritual phenomena altogether just because one comes across ineffective alternative medicine practitioners, psychics, or astrologers. Astrology is a science in itself that can predict, to a certain degree of accuracy, future events based on the planetary alignment. Similarly, one can indeed perceive the subtle dimension depending mainly on his spiritual level and desire to do so. However, the accuracy of the astrological and subtle readings or effectiveness of voodoo magic is totally dependent on the spiritual level of the practitioner.

In the present era (Kaliyuga), the average spiritual level is only 20%. On a scale of spiritual levels from 1 to 100%, a saint's spiritual level would be 70% whereas that of one who has completely merged with God would be 100%. Based on the low average spiritual level of today, it logically follows that most psychic, astrology, and voodoo practitioners that one encounters would be inaccurate. Instead of summarily writing off spiritual phenomena based on their inaccuracy, one should undertake regular spiritual practice and study of the science of Spirituality. This would enable one to experience not only the truth behind subtle phenomena but gradually, also Bliss, which is happiness of the highest quality.

*If one is not currently doing any spiritual practice, or to complement one's current spiritual practice, one can begin with the simple, but powerful spiritual practice of chanting or constantly remembering God's Name according to one's religion. Chanting also acts as a useful complement to any spiritual path one may be already following. It is a practice recommended for the current times by Holy texts and Saints of all religions.

Seekers in the initial stages of spiritual practice (less than one year) can repeat The Name of the Lord as per their religion (refer to Issue 3 Clarification of Doubts section for details).
Seekers who have been doing regular spiritual practice for over a year or so can determine the appropriate chant for them from the experiment given in Issue 124, Message to Seekers section.