Spirituality Shows Sure-fire Way

Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela propounded spirituality, peace, and tolerance by adopting them as part of their lives. Further, these noble ideologies were the underlying factors of their successful strive for independence.  

Addressing the topic ‘Spirituality, Peace & Tolerance’, Gandhi-Mandela Peace Initiative saw a panel discussion at Imperial, New Delhi. The discussion was moderated by Deepak Verma, President, The Debating Society of India. He introduced the topic by acknowledging Gandhi’s universality which respected all religions and believed that all religion led to god.  

Remembering Mahatma and Mandela, Syed Salman Chisty, Gaddi Nashin-Dargah Ajmer Sharif said, “Leaders like Gandhi and Mandela too were deeply rooted in faith and spirituality and they didn’t believe themselves as individuals. Both looked at religion as a binding force”.     

Further informing about the Ajmer Sharif, Sufi shrine of Khawaja Gharib Nawaz, Salman said, “At Ajmer Sharif, you can understand the philosophy of unconditional love, people visiting there can feel the essence of being connected”.  

On the topic of religion and peace, he said that religion helps us to understand who we are and what we believe. It becomes a problem when it becomes a political tool that leads people to believe that one is more superior than others. People start to use it for self-persuasion and egoistic pursuits.  

Addressing the audience, Daksh Bharadwaj, Author, Vedas - The New Perception, highlighted that Vedas are not books of religion, but they are the books of knowledge for mankind. While defining Dharma, he further said, “Dharam is not a religion, it teaches just to be truthful and be non-violent and these qualities are commended by every religion”. 

On the topic of Spirituality, Daksh argued that while spiritualism is to relate to something higher whereas religion expects you to visit holy places to achieve the same. Spiritualism helps humans to recognize the difference between the right and wrong paths. “It eventually stops you from following the wrong path and induces feelings that we’re not doing the right thing”, he added.  

Honing the values of Gandhi and Mandela, Dr. A.K. Merchant, National Trustee, Lotus Temple & Bahá'í community of India said, “Truth and non-violence were the crucial factors of their lives which helped them to achieve their goals and stir the souls of millions”.  

Recognizing the need of adapting Gandhian values in our lives, Merchant urged, “Mahatma’s legacy shouldn’t be limited to his birth anniversary, October 2, or his death anniversary, January 30, but we need to start a huge churning like this event which can help in the relaunch and sharing of his knowledge, values, and principles”. 

Roopa Ganguly, Member of Parliament concluded the discussion with her views on spirituality. Ganguly said, “Spirituality is something which everyone thinks on differently. For me, it’s the time to listen to oneself, it helps us in guiding and that’s how we act”. 

Further defining success and happiness, Roopa said, “I worked in movies for 30 years and yet people say you should have worked more in order to get more success, but who decides how many more movies would it have taken in the pursuance of happiness”.