Spiritual Thinking is the ultimate way beyond Rituals.
Bhagwad Gita: Chapter 3: 17-19.
17
But that man who rejoices only in the Self is satisfied with the Self and is concerned in the Self – for him, there is no duty to perform.
18
For him, there is no concern here at all with acting, nor any concern with non-performance. Moreover, for him, there is no dependence on any object to serve any purpose.
19
Therefore, remaining unattached always performs the obligatory duty, for a person attains the Highest ( Salvation ) by performing one’s task without attachment.
Matthew 15:3
3 But he answered and asked them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Lord Krishna, in the Bhagwat Gita, emphasizes that each of us, as God’s creation, is bound by our duty, Karma, in our material life, whether it be family, attachment to material wealth, passion, etc. When we become detached from materiality and perform our Karma, we slowly become self-actualized and merge with the Self, the God inside us. A person who has attained this state is free of all materiality and sins and attains Salvation or Mukti. He has no karma to perform. Unfortunately, the material world thinks one must wear a saffron robe to achieve this state. They do not believe why Lord Krishna, who had gone past all the materiality, was not wearing a saffron robe. It is their ignorance that they associate. Self-actualization, which is more mental, has nothing to do with wearing a saffron robe. They can be easily deceived by a scoundrel wearing a saffron robe and milk their possessions. Self-renunciation is a mental state of realization of God inside each of us and has nothing to do with wearing a saffron robe. It is only a state where you attach more importance to God inside than material wealth for peace and happiness. It does not matter whether you live in a mansion or a small hut, whether you live in an urban city or a secluded forest or wearing a saffron robe.
Spiritual Thinking, involving the synchronization of our human thoughts with the Divine Mind, God, inside us, helps us to progress to this state, and constant synchronization through meditation and prayers helps us to make this habitual and attain self-actualization. Attachment to this divine self causes us to detach ourselves from materiality, and we perceive everything spiritually. This is the goal of all of God’s creations and the purpose of our lives. When we comprehend our Divine Self, we will realize that we do not have to go in search of material needs. Just as Jesus Said, “Seek ye the kingdom of heaven, and all these things will be added unto you.” This renunciation of our attachment to material possessions is necessary, and we do not have to wear a saffron robe, as it is practiced, especially in Hinduism and Buddhism/; sadly, more significance is attached to symbolism in these cultures than the practice and understanding. I remember my younger days when we would offer all food to the Deity after our Poojas and pretend like the idols and deities ate what was offered. In practice, it is all eaten only by us, and this symbolism, along with providing incense, flowers, etc., is considered more important than the fundamental understanding of the presence of God inside each of us. Lord Krishna emphasizes in the third chapter of the Bhagwad Gita that the purpose of all the symbolic Karmas we perform is to reach a state of this renunciation or attachment to materiality. For those who have been able to do it, there is no karma to be completed, and they are free of any sins. The Vedas prescribe many rituals to develop self-discipline and focus and recommend a path to reach out to God inside.
Some examples of Rituals
Brahmin Performing Daily Ritual
Brahmin Ritual
Rituals in a group
The mantras themselves refer to the Brahman inside as OM, and since the Brahman cannot be seen, we worship in various forms as images or idols or deities that can be seen. Since these things can be seen with mortal eyes, it limits God’s omnipotence since we equate these images with human forms. Only good conceptual skills can enable us to visualize the Brahman, God inside us. However, as Jesus said, we are given a particular belief to suit our needs. This, however, may not be enough for our salvation or Moksha as the Vedas emphasize that only Gnana Yoga can lead us to Moksha or Salvation. Karma Yoga is a pathway to advance to Gnana yoga if practiced sincerely, as noted by Lord Krishna in Bhagwad Gita. Spiritual thinking, which constantly synchronizes our human thoughts with the Divine Mind, is the ultimate way beyond Rituals.
You can read more in the author’s book, Think Spiritually – Spiritual Thinking For Life. Available at Amazon.com.
https://www.amazon.com/author/sivaraman_raghu/
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