What is the importance of spirituality? Swami Mukundananda explains

"What is the importance of spirituality, and what is the benefit of cultivating it in life? In this age of science, we grow up learning a very reductionist worldview in school and college. We are taught that all life is just a combination of atoms and molecules, and the world was created by an accidental ‘Big Bang’. The problem with this perspective is that it misses out on so many intrinsic human needs," says renowned spiritual teacher Swami Mukundananda in his book 'Golden Rules for Living Your Best Life', which was published in 2022.

"It is a belief in the existence of something sacred and divine, beyond the mundane objects around us. It is an appreciation of our soul nature, distinct from the material body. Spirituality is behaving in alignment with our higher-self. It is a connection with something bigger than us; it is the search for a deeper meaning in life. In the Hindu tradition, and around the world, spirituality is
practised in a variety of ways. Whatever bona fide way you adopt for yourself, it bestows benefits that are indispensable for your well-being," explains Swami Mukundananda.

Read on to know the benefits of spirituality in one's life.

"As we go through life, we are presented with numerous options and are required to make choices.
– In this ethical dilemma, what is my duty?
– In the present situation, what should I prioritize and why?
– What should I make as the goal of my life?

If we do not have a system of beliefs to reference, making these choices can become overwhelming and impossible. Sacred books of spirituality offer divine wisdom for our personal structure of beliefs. They reveal the values that great saints successfully practised. Thus, they clarify our path for moving ahead in life," says Swami Mukundananda.

He further says, "The demands of our daily routines entangle us in mundane tasks. We are obliged to run from morning till night to earn money. We are required to take care of our family. But while fulfilling these worldly necessities, we also have a need for a higher fulfilment, beyond the mundane. Spiritual wisdom helps us connect with elevated ideas and noble concepts," he says.

"As children, we had a very ‘I’-centred world view. Life was all about our desires, aspirations and fears. The immense materialism of modern society reinforced that world view. It made us believe success in life was all about personal fame, wealth and comfort. However, as we grow spiritually and raise our spiritual awareness, we begin to appreciate the interrelatedness of all life. Then, we develop a healthy attitude towards all creatures and the entire Universe," explains Swami Mukundananda.

And lastly, "Deep within, we all aspire to become a better version of ourselves. Yet, self-transformation does not come easy. We struggle with negative thoughts and detrimental habits. In this situation, a good spiritual belief system hands us the tools and practices required for improving ourselves. It also strengthens our commitment to practising self-discipline in life. Consequently,
our journey of inner purification speeds up," says Swami Mukundananda.

"It is a pity that despite all these benefits, spiritual knowledge is often looked down upon in academic circles. To talk about the soul and God in corporate boardroom discussions or scientific interactions is considered old-fashioned. In India, in the name of secularism, spirituality has been eliminated from education. As a result, you go through your entire school and college life without any reference to spirituality.

"Do not let pseudo-intellectual propaganda sway you. In fact, spirituality is like the ‘one’, while everything else is like ‘zeros’. With ‘one’ in the lead, every ‘zero’ behind it adds value, but without it, life remains zero—futile and purposeless. So, do prioritize your devotion and nurture it with dedication," Swami Mukundananda writes in his book 'Golden Rules for Living Your Best Life'.