Journeying from confusion to clarity: Finding direction in a complex world
Author: Dr. Gian Kumar (PhD)
I believe that the human mind has been putting us on a rollercoaster ride for millennia, trapping us in cycles of emotion, desire, accumulation, attachment and selfishness. Despite efforts to advance humanity through religion, spirituality and technology, corruption, greed and conflict persist, and excessive involvement in greed-based practices obscures spiritual values and leads to economic disparity. Wars driven by territorial and ideological factors continue, and in many cases religion is used to justify violence.
The technology we admire today has not only brought about progress but also fueled wars with advanced destructive weapons for mass slaughter and disruptive challenges such as cyber warfare. Religious institutions have become politicized and spiritual gurus, activists and their assistants are eager to commercialize their preaching for fame, fortune and gain followers. From religious faith to spiritual methods such as mantra chanting, Zen, Tai Chi and Transcendental Meditation, we have not been able to address the destructive problems of the world as we hoped and expected.
We continue to gather advanced information from various scientific and spiritual sources, but we fail to apply it properly. I'm sure you will agree that man-made methods are not giving us the peace and harmony we seek in today's troubled world. We add to our knowledge without truly understanding it, applying it holistically, or working at it diligently. As a result, most man-made methods are failing to provide us with the inner peace and harmony we so desperately seek in today's troubled world.
Confusion affects everyone. We are not clear about what we want from life. It challenges our brain to distinguish between truth, lies and fiction. Religion has brainwashed us so thoroughly that we are no longer able to recognize the actual reality around us. As a result, our sensory organs and subconscious mind do not respond to reality even if our conscious mind tries to think truthfully and scientifically. To recognize the genuine reality or truth, we need to free ourselves from the deep-rooted prejudices created by society. We need to clarify everything we know before we believe all the jargon instilled in us by those who consider themselves superior. Unless we do so, we will remain confused and will continue to spread it to others just as they confused us before.
Our thought processes remain muddled, we ruminate, we multitask randomly and recklessly, we are uncentered and unfocused. Spiritual knowledge and methods have also failed to subdue our ego. I am yet to meet anyone who I can agree with strong conviction that is truly spiritual. Each of us tries to project our personality in order to gain name, fame and wealth. In other words, we are overly attached to our identity and all that we have gained from this material world. None of us is willing to selflessly give up the oneness that spirituality demands.
After feeling mentally weak, depressed, out of shape, experiencing material losses or feeling scared, in our despair we try to mix religion and spirituality as a means of escape. Both are different subjects in that religion creates division and spiritualism encourages unity. We deceive our minds into thinking that we have now become spiritual, without realizing the lie we have fallen into. The proof is that religion and spiritualism have been going on for thousands of years and have not made any noticeable progress in making the world morally, ethically or spiritually better, despite an ever-increasing number of spiritual, religious and self-help books and life gurus to mentor us. Gone are the days of Krishna, Buddha and Jesus who sacrificed their lives for all. We have failed to evolve from our essential animalistic constitution of desire, greed and contempt and transform into beings worthy of being called conscious human beings. Our self-centeredness far outweighs our spiritual awareness. Why?
If I look honestly within myself, I can see that even after decades of immersion in spiritualism, I am not able to completely eliminate my ego. I still wear a false mask over my true spiritual being. My animal nature continues to desire this and that for my likes and dislikes. To this day, I am very attached to my self-identity in my body and mind, seeking prominence and external recognition. If we want to become spiritual, the only answer is to awaken the third element of our self – the soul that lies dormant within. If we self-observe our mind consistently, without questioning, without justification or judgment, we can learn the art of clear self-awareness. Through the soul, the mind spontaneously and intuitively combines with the intellectual cognitive mind, becoming aware and conscious of all that we perceive. The subjective (soul) and the objective (mind), the abstract and the physical, the active and the meditative combine their respective resources with clarity, evolving and transforming beyond the narrow view of me and mine. Self-observation for self-knowledge is the key that leads one out of mental confusion to clairvoyant clarity and unlocks the secrets of a sublime life.
Clarity is essential to living a fulfilling life both personally and professionally. Clarity includes clear perceptions, clear goals, and decisive action. Seeking clarity through self-awareness, asking essential questions internally, and actively listening without arguing will benefit your profession, relationships, and happiness, enhancing your quality of life. Clarity is a guiding lighthouse of insight and purpose to see things as they are, and navigating life with confidence depends on this trait that cuts through all we know. Clarity helps with decisions, goals, and communication in the personal and professional spheres, and is essential for mental health and growth.
Seeking and achieving clarity in life requires self-reflection, efficient processes, expanding knowledge, effective communication, health, meditation, setting clear goals, and input from others, which leads to a more focused and deliberate existence. Paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and actions paves the way for clarity to permeate your life. Cultivating a state of inner peace and harmony allows you to move through challenges with poise and purpose. Embracing clarity allows you to see the underlying truth amid the noise, leading you to a harmonious existence rooted in authenticity and fulfillment. Consistent self-reflection helps eradicate inner strife and discord. By understanding your true motivations and desires in each moment and aligning your actions with deeper ideals, you can achieve mindfulness through meditative awareness.
Clarity guides us in specific activities and helps us formulate achievable goals. In a chaotic environment, clarity is important so that we can successfully cut through the noise and make decisions that bring meaning and fulfillment to our lives. Clarity is not just a state of mind, it is a way of living that helps us connect with our authentic selves and fulfill our purpose in life. Instead of following appearances and mindlessly following the preaching of people who believe it to be accurate despite the lack of empirical evidence, you should make sure to tap into your inner intuition, intellect and cognitive intelligence to determine the truth from your perspective.
There are many schools of thought as to the best way to attain spiritual development. But one profound idea emerges: clarity is the highest form of mindfulness. From this perspective, true understanding and insight are attained not through complex ideologies or mystical or mythical encounters, but through simple and pure mental and spiritual clarity. Seeing things as they really are, free from prejudice, anxiety and wishful thinking, is the essence of clarity. It is free from doubt and uncertainty and is characterized by harmony between words and deeds. Besides being intellectually fulfilling, being in this state of clear awareness connects us to the underlying facts of existence, with profound spiritual implications.
Many spiritual systems emphasize clarity. Hindu wisdom (prajna) characterizes clarity through intuitive intelligence. Through Vashishta Yoga, one can integrate one's body, mind, soul and spirit, become free from illusions, attachments and distractions and perceive reality as it is. According to the Indian philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, Brahman, the non-dual ultimate reality, can be practiced through introspection and the elimination of ignorance. In this context, it is important to realize that there is only one absolute reality, which cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transformed from one relative or subset form to another.
A fundamental element in gaining clarity is to persist in speaking the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. When we consider clarity to be the core of spirituality, we shift our attention from external preaching and practice to an inner state of being. This perspective teaches us to live by our deepest principles, to be open-minded and focused, and to seek the truth in all things, rather than impulsively or unconsciously believing those we unconsciously assume to be superior but who are not. Doing so will make your progress clear and help you create a more peaceful and enlightened world.
Finally, in conclusion, I would like to reiterate that clarity of thought is supreme and the result of spiritual awareness, which is the core of all spiritual paths. Illumination drives away the shadows of ignorance, insight guides our steps, and serenity envelops our soul. The path to transcendence begins with the cultivation of clarity that allows us to accept spirituality as it is. Clarity is essential to lead life, make decisions, and build meaningful relationships. Clarity entails clear perception, effective communication, and alignment of actions and values. Simplifying our lives and facilitating personal growth requires reducing mental clutter, practicing mindfulness, and seeking truth. Embracing clarity requires steady effort and a willingness to confront complexity. Ultimately, clarity brings wisdom and a stronger connection with our true self – Spirit.
Namaste
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