Misconceptions that could mislead seekers on Spirituality

Widespread misconceptions regarding Adhyatma (Spirituality) and Sadhana (Spiritual practice) have spread over the last century. This is due to so-called “Westernised” social reformers, those claiming to be “science-oriented,” people who cry “superstition” without understanding the nature of shraddha, and “secular” rulers who failed to provide Dharma-shikshan (Education on Dharma) to society. Charlatans have exploited this void, causing these misconceptions to take firm root. Rather than having a true understanding of Spirituality, many people, especially the youth fall prey to these misconceptions. Here, we analyse some of the misconceptions, or in other words, understand “What Spirituality should not be confused with.”

1. Misconceptions about sadhana

In Hindu Dharma it is said, “There are as many temperaments as the number of people, there are as many paths in Spirituality as the number of people.” Therefore, some people draw conclusions about spiritual practice based merely on hearsay or their own limited understanding. Because of this, many misconceptions about sadhana arise. Let us understand these misconceptions and their true nature.

1a. Spiritual practice for the old age

About 50% of people know that spirituality is beneficial to their daily lives. However, among them, nearly half say, “We will practise spirituality in our old age.” This thinking is flawed on several levels –

1. This assumes that one will certainly live to an old age, even though there is no such guarantee.
2. Spiritual practice requires a healthy body and mind. In old age both become weaker, which makes sadhana more difficult.
3. Just as learning something new becomes difficult in old age, learning how to practise sadhana also becomes difficult.
4. By old age, the number of impressions (sanskars) on the mind increases greatly, whereas in spirituality one must work against all such impressions.

1b. Practising devotion to a favourite Deity or Saint according to one’s own wish

About 70% of those who practise sadhana do so according to their own wishes. Just as we do not consume medicine as per our fancy, similarly practising sadhana according to one’s own mind is not beneficial. Such practice does not yield much progress, and then people begin to feel that spirituality and sadhana are useless. In reality, spirituality means . When that is so, how can sadhana be done according to one’s own mind? Therefore it is far more fruitful to practise sadhana after understanding Adhyatmashastra (the science of spirituality) or under the guidance of an evolved person.

1c. Thinking that one should not marry

About 30% of seekers feel that if they want spiritual progress, they should not marry. This view is incorrect for the following reasons.

1. Some individuals progress spiritually more quickly while leading a householder’s life and practising sadhana.
2. When one goes to the Himalayas (being engrossed in individual spiritual practice in solitude) one is not tested, whereas in worldly life tests arise at every step.
3. In spirituality one should not decide things according to one’s own wishes, because spirituality involves dissolving the mind itself (Manolay). Therefore deciding not to marry according to one’s own mind is incorrect. Moreover, if marriage exists in one’s Prarabdha (destiny), it cannot be avoided, and marriage eventually takes place. Then the seeker feels that he could not even keep this resolution, and such thoughts may even lead to discouragement.

1d. Fear that sadhana will interfere with worldly life

Another misconception is chanting God’s Name interferes in carrying out one’s worldly duties. In the history of humankind, not a single person has suffered harm by chanting God’s Name. On the contrary, one who chants the Name develops greater awareness and can perform worldly duties even more effectively.

2. Misconceptions about priests, kirtankars and pravachankars

Some people think that all those who perform priestly duties or give kirtan and pravachan are spiritually evolved. In reality this is not always so. Some priests believe they understand spirituality, but in fact they only possess a limited knowledge of rituals. They often do not know the spiritual reasons behind those rituals, and most of them do not practise sadhana themselves.

Similarly, preachers and kirtankars who have not experienced the Ishwari Tattva (Divine Principle) speak extensively about spirituality. Some people accept them as Gurus and follow the sadhana they prescribe, wasting many years of their lives.

3. Misconceptions about seekers

The husband of a woman (who was a seeker) was murdered. She was composed as she had accepted this devastating turn of life. Seeing her composure, the police suspected that she herself might have committed the murder. Some people thought that she did not love her husband or that she must have loved someone else, which is why she did not appear distressed. Others felt that the grief would affect her later.

Those who do not practise sadhana cannot understand that sadhana naturally develops qualities such as courage and forbearance.

4. Misconceptions about spiritually evolved individuals

a. “It is shameful that even after almost 45 years of Independence, Sadhus are determining the fate of the nation.” – Jyoti Basu, Chief Minister of West Bengal (December 1992)

b. “Are saints paranoid schizophrenics?” – Shiroda, 29 September 1992

c. Professor T. K. Oommen, Head of the Sociology Department at Jawaharlal Nehru University, expressed the view that if one studies the psychology of those who believe predictions about the end of the world, one often finds disappointment in their lives. According to him, this disappointment leads them to accept such predictions. In response, Shri. Parveen Chopra, Editor-in-Chief of Life Positive, stated that self-proclaimed Gurus take advantage of such disappointed and escapist mentalities. Organisations formed by such Gurus often become completely loyal to them. These Gurus may then lead their followers towards destruction or exploit them financially or sexually. Many such groups share certain common features, for example, a single charismatic male leader, isolation from the rest of society, and specific practices used to maintain the group’s security. Examples include the Aum Shinrikyo cults in Japan, certain American cults, and the Kalki movement in South India.

5. Misconceptions about those who teach spirituality

A misconception about Gurudev : “Doctor uses hypnosis more than spirituality; that is why so many people attend his lectures and study classes.”

Regarding hypnosis, P. P. Bhaktaraj Maharaj used to say, “Your hypnosis, and ours is superior hypnosis!” In reality, far more people gather around Saints who do not use hypnosis than around those who rely on such techniques. – Dr Athavale