Do not waste your time and energy on conflicts

No matter what you do, there would always be oppositions, contractions, and conflicts. There is no person existed on this earth who lived his life without any oppositions, contractions, and conflicts. Even the most influential person of this world cannot convince and please everyone by his deeds, thoughts, and ideas. People would find something even in the noblest work done by someone and start opposing and criticizing. They would try to prove why they are right in their views and you would try to prove yours. This contention to prove who is right and who is wrong drains massive time and energy. And at last, the outcome remains disappointing.

If you involve yourself in persuading your opponent to accept and support your views, ideas, deeds and your way of life, there would be nothing, but struggle and conflicts. The more you try to persuade them, the more contradictions and conflicts occur. You would be crippled. Your natural flow would disrupt. You will find perverted.

Even the people who are worshipped today as gods for their deeds, ideas and thoughts were opposed immensely in the past. Those ideas and thoughts are not accepted by all the people of the world even today.

Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammad and many others god-figure people like them who changed the direction of the world were not free from the oppositions, contradictions, and conflicts. Galileo, Newton, Thomas Alva Edison, Tesla, Albert Einstein and many more intellectual people like them faced huge opposition for their theorem they produced. All the efforts were made to stop and crush them.That was not easy for them to keep themselves focused on their work amongst so many oppositions, conflicts, and contradictions.

One thing is common in all the great people of all time that they did not dissipate their time and energy in paying attention to their oppositions, contradictions and conflicts rather they kept directing their time and energy towards their purpose. And at last, they succeeded. They knew that as long as the thoughts and ideas would be there the oppositions, contractions and conflicts would be there. They go hand in hand. That would be foolish to think to eradicate those forever. Only one thing can be done that is to ignore and pay attention what is needed.

Many others had many great thoughts and ideas. They could have done great things for the world. But, they got trapped in the net of their oppositions. They directed their time and energy in eradicating those oppositions, contractions, and conflicts. They became more sensitive towards what others are talking and saying about their deeds and thoughts than what they want to produce in their life.

Keep focusing on your purpose, and let your oppositions struggle and waste their time and energy on you to find out the mistakes in you and criticize you. You do not waste your time and energy and struggle with them. Let them have animosity and conflicts with you. Be careful. But do not distract your mind by keeping any animosity and conflicts with them. Use their time and energy which comes to you in the form comments and criticism for your betterment.

Does Religion Convert Ideology Into Hypocrisy?

Lord Mahavira sacrificed everything - his kingdom, his family, all the luxury, his clothes, even his hairs in order to attain Kaivalya Gyan, the supreme knowledge. Many people follow the lifestyle of Lord Mahavira. They also want to attain Kaivalya Gyan like him. There is nothing wrong in this attempt. But by simply sacrificing clothes and luxury like Lord Mahavira would not guarantee to attain what Mahavira attained, if you are not comfortable with this lifestyle. That was the Mahavira`s way of attaining the supreme knowledge and getting salvation.  Lord Mahavira, did not copy anyone`s lifestyle. He did what suited for him.

For lord Mahavira, that was the comfortable way to spend his life like that. That was his nature. And in his true nature, he attained that supreme knowledge. It does not mean that for attaining the supreme knowledge, you have to sacrifice your clothes, and sleep on the earth and give other many kinds of torture to your physical body. No need to be the enemy of the body. That may not be suitable for your nature. Even though, if you follow it, you cannot attain it, if you are not in your nature.

Lord Buddha followed a different approach for the same realization. He did not sacrifice his clothes, still he attained the supreme knowledge, he became Buddha, the enlightened one. He was comfortable with that. That was his nature. By simply following the lifestyle of Buddha, you cannot be Buddha, an enlightened one.

It may possible – his dress, food, and lifestyle would not be suitable for your nature. You may not be comfortable with that. Your entire attention would be in following his dress, food, and lifestyle, not on the experiencing the supreme knowledge.

Lord Buddha and Mahavira attained the supreme knowledge by sacrificing their kingdom. King Janak attained that knowledge without sacrificing his kingdom. It is not necessary to follow someone`s lifestyle to attain the supreme knowledge - to be an enlightened one. Without being in your nature, you cannot reach to the supreme knowledge. First of all, you need to be comfortable what you are following.

By unnecessary torturing, the physical body in a certain way nothing significant can be achieved. Lord Buddha himself refuted all the rituals which did not make any sense to him. He ignored all those things which he was not comfortable with. For many years, he copied and did all the rituals what was suggested to him. But by following those, he did not reach anywhere. When he relinquished all those copied things, he attained the supreme knowledge. He became from Gautama to Buddha.

Jesus Christ also attained the supreme knowledge, but his dress and food and lifestyle were different than Buddha and Mahavira. That was his nature. Prophet Mohammad followed an altogether different path for attaining the supreme knowledge. His dress, food, language, and lifestyle was different than aforementioned personalities.

Attaining supreme knowledge is not related to copying someone`s lifestyle which you are not comfortable with. First of all, you must be comfortable with the path you are following. If you are struggling with some method or path, you are never going to attain supreme knowledge what others achieved by following the same path.

By following someone`s lifestyle, certain kinds of dresses, certain kinds of food and performing certain kinds of rituals or following some tradition or custom, only a religious organization can be founded, not a spiritual group. A certain ideology can be created in which millions of people in the form of religion would start following it. And where there is ideology, there can be hypocrisy as well.

Time to time, many ideologies gave birth to many religions, sects, and creeds. And all these religions, sects and creeds always hang around those ideologies, whether it is suitable according to the time or not. People of one religion fight with the people of other religions to save their religion and so-called ideology. More than spiritual, it has become political. The hypocrisy takes birth, and the originality is lost.

You need not choose a certain dress or food or lifestyle for attaining the supreme knowledge rather you need to understand the essence of what Lord Buddha or Mahavira or Jesus or Mohammad attained. Follow the path you are comfortable with according to your nature. But you need to make sure, by your deeds, no one gets hurt. That is the religion - that is the spirituality.

Why Did Hinduism Not Grow Over Time?

Hinduism is the oldest known existing religion of this world. Hinduism did not spread much globally. This religion is majorly practiced in India (79 % people), Nepal and Mauritius.  Notably, the percentage of the population of Hindus in India has decreased over time and the percentages of other religions have increased. Hinduism is the third largest religion by the population of the world (1 Billion, around 14% of the world population). Christianity is the first (2.2 Billion) and Islam is the second (1.6 Billion). Christianity was founded around 2500 years back and Islam 1400 years back. And Hinduism has been existing since time immemorial.

This religion has very well-documented scriptures. It has predominantly four Vedas, 18 principal Upanishads, 18 major Puranas, Smiritis, Dharm Shastra, Agmas, and two great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It has more scriptures than any other religions of the world. Today, Hinduism exists on this planet due to its well-structured and documented scriptures; otherwise, it has been extinct like other many ancient religions.  Many other ancient religions have been extinct due to the lack of their well-documented scriptures. They believed in oral tradition which lost over time.

Despite being the oldest religion and having well-structured and documented scriptures - why did Hinduism not grow over time? Why could it not become the number one religion of the world? Why did it fail to convince the people of other faith to convert and accept the oldest religion? Why did it fail to prevent Hindus converting into other faiths? Why did it fail in propagating Hinduism and its profound philosophy at the large scale internationally?

For all these, Hindus have been its reflexive enemies. They have closed all the doors for the people of other faiths to convert and accept Hinduism even though they want. The word Hinduism for this religion was given in the 19^th century by the English. The original name of this religion is Sanatan Dharma (the eternal religion) or Vedantist (one who reads and believes in Vedas). The base of this religion is four Vedas (Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda). That entails, you cannot be the part of the Sanatan Dharma without reading and understanding Vedas or being a Vedantist.

Hindus are divided in four Varnas i.e. Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Further, they are split up into many castes, sub-castes, and Gotra in each Verna. And among them, some are Surya Vanshi, some are Chandra Vanshi, some are Bhardwaji, and thus along. In Hindu itself, across India, in a different part, the different customs and traditions are observed. In the south, the marriage with the cousin is allowed, but not in the north, although both claim they are Hindus. Many gods and goddesses, who are prominent in one part of the country, but not in the other parts.  Many gods and goddesses are known in one part are completely unknown to the other part of the nation.  Some worship Rama, some worship Krishna, some worship Shiva, some worship Kali, some Parvati, some Durga, some worship altogether many deities, etc. Everyone claims the supremacy of their deity over others.

Notably, reading Veda was limited to the one section of the society that is Brahman. Others were not allowed to read and propagate Vedas. It was highly restricted. That implies -  other segments of the society did not have the access of the Vedas. And some sections of the society were not granted even to listen Vedas. How can one learn the Vedas and become Vedantists with so many restrictions? And the restrictions were not temporary but continued years after years.

As time went along, people accepted those restrictions as a mode of life without caring the future of this religion. They did not realize the importance of reading and learning Veda. Resultant, they remained Hindu without understanding their religion. They remained Hindu for name sake only. How many Hindus have read the Vedas which are the base of this religion? Unfortunately, this is continued today also. The majority of this religion does not understand the essence of this religion. They are confused and perverted. These are a few reasons why many superstitions and blind beliefs took place, and people easily get trap of it even today.

No two Hindus can give the same explanation of their religion. They will explain according to their background and faith, not on the basis of what Vedas says about this religion.

And how they can read and talk about Veda as Veda is written in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is a very rich language. There is a separate word for each and everything known to the world. And now, Sanskrit is a dead language. We are proud of our religion and we should be. But, at the same time, we should be ashamed that we could not save Sanskrit in which all the scriptures are written.

Chances would be more for any religion to spread fast for which scripture is written in the language of the masses. And without any restrictions, the scriptures must be translated into other languages as time passes, so that, people who ever want to read and learn about the religion and its philosophy can read and learn without any restrictions.

If any religion becomes adamant about the language and put access restrictions to the scriptures of various kinds on the basis of Varna, caste, language, ethnicity, region, birth, color, food habits and etc., chances would be high for such religions to extinct, no matter how great and profound it is. The same thing happened with Hinduism. Due to the illogical and irrational restrictions of various kinds, we closed all the doors of its propagation and left it to its destiny to suffocate in delineated boundaries of orthodoxy and die. It was not allowed to flow freely and dispel the darkness of ignorance of the whole humanity which is the nature of this religion.

We should be thankful to 19th-century German scholar, Max Muller, who took the pain to learn Sanskrit and translated the Vedas into English and opened the door to many readers who were interested to know about this religion.

If someone desires to be the part of this religion, for him, there would be a lot of confusion. First of all, in which Verna, caste or sub-caste he is going to be part of. If someone wants to relinquish Hindu religion and join other religions, for him, that would be a very easy exit. If he is going to be a Christian, then he would be a Christian, there would not be any restrictions to the scriptures or Church or this caste or that caste, he is free to choose his way. If he is going to be a Muslim, then he would be a Muslim, there would not be any restrictions to the scriptures or Mosque. If he wants to be a Buddhist, then he will be a Buddhist.

The exit is very easy and entry is very tough and full of complications in Hinduism.

Hindu is one religion, but all the people of the Hinduism are not seen and treated equally. They are divided. The people of this religion are more adamant and orthodox. This attitude has contributed in rifting this religion into pieces and stopped its propagation as it should be.

In order to save the originality of this religion, first of all, we must burn the outer cover of the fabricated stories of gods and goddesses and superstitions and reach to the authentic scriptures of this religion, that is – Veda, Vedanta, and Bhagawat Geeta. We need to pay attention in reviving the original language of these scriptures that is – Sanskrit and translate and propagate it in as many languages as it could be without any prejudices. We need to throw all the Smirits books and Dharam Shastra e.g. Manu Smiriti, Brihaspati Smiriti etc. These books do not have any social and scientific importance. These books have divided, misguided and exploited the society at very large scale. These books have done irrecoverable harm to this religion.

People are talking about removing the reservation in India. It is very tough till the caste system exists in Hinduism. There would always be an injustice. Many capable SC/ST do not require any reservation. They can do well without any reservation. Still, they get it because of the system. Many people from General Category are incapable and backward who genuinely need a reservation to come into the mainstream of the society. But, they are not allowed to avail this facility.

The justification cannot take place in our society. One or another section of the society will always feel victimized and exploited. We are talking about removing the caste based reservation, instead, why are we not talking about removing the Varna Vyastha or caste system itself? If there is no caste system, there would not be any reservation on the basis of caste. And there would be an easy entry for the people of other faiths who want to be the part this religion.

A great reformation is required in this religion. Nothing external is dangerous for this religion, but its internal turbulence and irrationality.

Know What You are Following

Lord Buddha, who founded Buddhism, was given poison, a mad elephant was left behind him, and a big rock was rolled to crush him. All the efforts were made to kill him. He was humiliated and disrespected at multiple places and occasions. He was criticized. People attempted to tarnish him from every angle. His companions left him alone in the forest as he did not follow the blind rituals which were suggested to him by them. On the other hand, his followers and Boddh Bhikshu who tell his teachings and stories are respected and revered wherever they go. After the Nirvana of the Buddha, they rifted the Buddhism. The division of the same religion cannot be the teaching of Buddha. But, that happened. It does not matter whether they have realized what Buddha had brought in, still they get more reverence and honor and respect than Buddha himself got at his time.

Lord Mahavira was stoned, mad dogs were left behind him, and iron rods were pierced in his ears. He was humiliated and disrespected. Many efforts were made to finish him and his teachings. Now Jain Munnis who follow the path of Lord Mahavira and propagate his teachings are respected, revered and worshipped everywhere they go. These Jain Munnis rifted the Jainism in many pieces and they are busy in proving whose sect is right and whose one is wrong.

Jesus Christ was stoned, mocked, humiliated and finally crucified. Everyone left him alone to die. He had 12 disciples, who also left him alone when he was captured, tied and nailed to the cross and crucified. Now Pope and pastor get all the respect, honor and reverence on the basis of his teachings. They have not experienced the pain what Jesus suffered, still, they are worshipped and revered like gods. Wherever they go millions of people throng to take heed and pay respect to the holy man. On the other hand, when Jesus was crucified, no one was there to say - do not worry, we are with you.

Meera was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna. She was mad in his divine love. She composed many poems in his respect. She was given poison to drink. The temple was closed for her when she tried to visit one of the temples of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan. The priests who perform the mechanical rituals and tell the story of Lord Krishna without realization are worshipped and revered by millions of people, and the true love and devotion towards God were ignored and mocked. Meera, for whom the temple was closed and she was humiliated, in the same place, her composed poems and devotional songs are recited by people in the temples. And the people who sing and recite devotional songs and poems are more respected, revered and honored than Meera herself.

Sai Baba of Shirdi was expelled from the temple. He was humiliated and mocked. He spent his entire life with rugged dresses. He did not have a place to live, clothes to wear and food to eat. Today, many temples are made for the same Sai Bab. Millions of rupees are offered to the Sai temple daily. His idol is adorned with gold and silver and new clothes daily. Millions of devotees and followers offer their obeisance and reverence to him daily. The priests and Sai storytellers are more respected and reverence than him. They live very comfortable lives.

All the above-mentioned people were the realized and awakened people. They were the originals. There were not understood in the beginning and hence, they were disrespected, humiliated and expelled.  Today, the posers and pretenders in the name of the realized people are misguiding millions of people around the globe. The superstition and blind belief are spread in their name. And the people who do all these misdeeds get more respect and honor than the originals.

You cannot be a realized and awakened person by following the followers, by going to the temple and offering money and worshipping them. That method is not going to help anyone in experience the divinity within. Divinity is within everyone. That can be realized by following some certain methods. Our realized people are the live examples for this. They never taught and supported the blind and mechanical rituals without understanding the meaning of it. With blind rituals or method or religion, no one can be a realized and awakened person. That would be just wastage of time. No divinity realized person demanded the construction of their temple or worship them rather they taught to find the divinity within. And this is in the ambit of everyone`s capacity.

Do not try to follow or worship Buddha, be Buddha. Do not try to follow or worship Mahavira, be Mahavira. Do not try to follow or worship Jesus, be Jesus.