Are Materialism and Spiritualism Contrary or Complementary to each other?
All philosophical doctrines that have existed in the world since eternity can be broadly classified into two basic doctrines - materialism and spiritualism. Despite numerous scientific and social advancements over the course of many centuries, this broad classification remained unchanged. The reason is quite simple and if closely analyzed, very logical too - all living beings are a combination of two things – a material body and a divine soul. Hence, all doctrines past, present and future have to encompass either or both of these entities to solve the problem of our upliftment.
There are numerous faiths, religions (see The Right Religion) and philosophies prevalent in the world at this time.
The sole Aim of Life of all existing philosophies is to assist us in our “search for happiness”. Each living being is an eternal and inseparable part of God, who is the embodiment of Happiness. There is a universal law that every part wants to become one with its whole and hence, the quest for happiness is the innate nature of all living beings.
There are numerous faiths, religions (see The Right Religion) and philosophies prevalent in the world at this time.
The sole Aim of Life of all existing philosophies is to assist us in our “search for happiness”. Each living being is an eternal and inseparable part of God, who is the embodiment of Happiness. There is a universal law that every part wants to become one with its whole and hence, the quest for happiness is the innate nature of all living beings.
Those, who believe themselves to be the body, search for happiness in this material world. Others who consider themselves the divine soul, search for happiness in God. People with these two beliefs have existed since eternity, hence the dispute between materialism and spiritualism has also been eternal. Some consider materialism to be the only path, while others vouch for spiritualism. But in fact, both are naive. Materialism and spiritualism complement each other.
The materialists say, material progress is the symbol of advancement and enrichment of the culture and civilization of a country. In ancient times people didn't have appropriate clothes to wear, did not have suitable homes to live in, did not have proper cutlery and dishes to eat. People lived like wild animals without any distinguished culture, education etc. With the advancement of materialism, we now have high-rise buildings, a wide-variety of fabrics to make beautiful dresses, and awe-inspiring inventions in the field of transportation, entertainment and communication.
The materialists say, material progress is the symbol of advancement and enrichment of the culture and civilization of a country. In ancient times people didn't have appropriate clothes to wear, did not have suitable homes to live in, did not have proper cutlery and dishes to eat. People lived like wild animals without any distinguished culture, education etc. With the advancement of materialism, we now have high-rise buildings, a wide-variety of fabrics to make beautiful dresses, and awe-inspiring inventions in the field of transportation, entertainment and communication.
Willingly Dadhichi gave up his bones from which Vajra (Thunderbolt) was made. Indra used that to defeat demons
On the other hand, while agreeing that the world has made immense material progress and that such progress has brought prosperity and physical comfort to all human beings, the spiritualists are quick to point out that spiritual traits have disappeared in the same ratio. Honest people like Maharaja Harish Chandra, great resolute personalities like Bheeshma Pitamah, diamonds like Dadheechi, sincere and just kings like Yudhishthira, fearless and noble warriors like Arjun etc. are no longer to be found on the earth. Dishonesty, violence, avarice, wrath, dissatisfaction and hatred has become so prominent that human beings have forgotten the virtues that make us human. The cause of these vices is our insatiable desire to have in our possession all the means required to attain material happiness. Today, people continue to equate wealth with happiness; whereas experience shows that the extent of material possessions is directly proportional to the cause of anxieties. We don't seem to reflect on our experiences and take corrective actions.
Remember the peace of mind when extended families used to live under the same roof in a congenial family atmosphere, when family members used to eat together and sit together every evening, when they had the time to support each other in their time of need. You may have heard of a time in the past, in India, when people used to offer their own beds to their guests and feel happy and contented spending the night, sleeping on the floor on a thin rug. In the absence of greed and desire to acquire material possessions, the society was very cordial, loving, empathetic and supporting of each other. Hence, spiritualists say we should focus on spiritualism to maintain mental peace and enhance the overall goodness in the society.
Although, every soul has been striving to attain happiness since eternity, that happiness has been elusive. The divine soul desires divine happiness, which cannot be attained from any material object. Happiness is an epithet of God. Therefore, attaining God is the same as attaining happiness.
God has said that “I can be known only through the scriptures”. Also, He said, “True meaning of scriptures can only be understood with the help of a God realized saint”. The Vedas say:
Remember the peace of mind when extended families used to live under the same roof in a congenial family atmosphere, when family members used to eat together and sit together every evening, when they had the time to support each other in their time of need. You may have heard of a time in the past, in India, when people used to offer their own beds to their guests and feel happy and contented spending the night, sleeping on the floor on a thin rug. In the absence of greed and desire to acquire material possessions, the society was very cordial, loving, empathetic and supporting of each other. Hence, spiritualists say we should focus on spiritualism to maintain mental peace and enhance the overall goodness in the society.
Although, every soul has been striving to attain happiness since eternity, that happiness has been elusive. The divine soul desires divine happiness, which cannot be attained from any material object. Happiness is an epithet of God. Therefore, attaining God is the same as attaining happiness.
God has said that “I can be known only through the scriptures”. Also, He said, “True meaning of scriptures can only be understood with the help of a God realized saint”. The Vedas say:
परीक्ष्य लोकान् कर्मचितान्ब्राह्मणो निर्वेदमायान्नास्त्य कृतः कृतेन ।
तद्विज्ञानार्थं स गुरुमेवाभिगच्छेत् समितपाणिः क्षोत्रियं ब्रह्मनिष्ठम्॥
तद्विज्ञानार्थं स गुरुमेवाभिगच्छेत् समितपाणिः क्षोत्रियं ब्रह्मनिष्ठम्॥
मुंड.१ मुं.२ खंड. १२ मंत्र
pareekshy lokaan karmachitaanbraahmano nirvedamaayaannasty krtah krten.
tadvigyaanaarthan sa gurumevaabhigachchhet samitapaanih kshotriyan brahmanishtham.
tadvigyaanaarthan sa gurumevaabhigachchhet samitapaanih kshotriyan brahmanishtham.
mund.1 mun.2 khand. 12 mantr
“After experimenting with all kinds of Vedic rituals and injunctions, we have reached a conclusion that one has to surrender oneself to a saint. A saint who is endowed with the knowledge of all the scriptures and has realized God.”
Scriptures would provide theoretical knowledge and saints would teach and illustrate how to apply the knowledge in practical life. So, it is obvious that attainment of happiness, which is the only desire of all living beings, cannot be resolved without spiritualism.
Scriptures would provide theoretical knowledge and saints would teach and illustrate how to apply the knowledge in practical life. So, it is obvious that attainment of happiness, which is the only desire of all living beings, cannot be resolved without spiritualism.
However, materialism cannot be shunned. Let us ponder: where would a spiritualist practice devotion? Obviously, he will practice spiritualism while living in this world. Also, for the upkeep of his human body he would need food, water, air, space. All of these things are material! A yogi using his Yogic powers can survive without earth, food and water, yet he would need space for sure which is material. Above all, the body itself is material. In a nutshell, devotion cannot be practiced without a body and mind all of which are material.
Materialists want to provide comfort to the body, which cannot survive without the divine soul. Therefore, it would be childish for a materialist to condemn spiritualism.
In the absence of the recognition of the real “I”, we provide all kinds of material sources of happiness to our body. These material objects may temporarily provide an illusion of happiness to our senses. Besides the earthly luxuries, each soul has enjoyed celestial luxuries, which are far beyond the imagination of material beings. Yet, the soul (the entity felt as I) is still desperately begging for happiness. The Garuda Puran says:
Materialists want to provide comfort to the body, which cannot survive without the divine soul. Therefore, it would be childish for a materialist to condemn spiritualism.
In the absence of the recognition of the real “I”, we provide all kinds of material sources of happiness to our body. These material objects may temporarily provide an illusion of happiness to our senses. Besides the earthly luxuries, each soul has enjoyed celestial luxuries, which are far beyond the imagination of material beings. Yet, the soul (the entity felt as I) is still desperately begging for happiness. The Garuda Puran says:
|
चक्रधरोऽपि सुरत्वं सुरत्वलाभे सकलसुरपतित्वं ।
भवितुं सुरपतिरूर्ध्व गतित्वं तथापि न निवर्तते तृष्णा ॥ ग. पु.
cakradharo'pi suratvaṃ suratvalābhe sakalasurapatitvaṃ ।
bhavituṃ surapatirūrdhva gatitvaṃ tathāpi na nivartate tṛṣṇā ॥ ga, pu.
“The sole emperor of the entire earth wants to be a devata, a devata wants to be Indra-the king of swarg. Indra wants to be the ruler of Brahmaloka. (In every brahmand there is an abode of the Creator Brahma called Brahmlok. It is located above all other lokas and has the maximum luxury in the whole brahmand.) Even then the desire to attain more does not get quenched.”
Attaining happiness is the desire of the self (the soul) and we are trying to satisfy the divine soul with material matters. Senses are material, so they enjoy; but only for a short while because their master (the soul) remains unsatisfied. Divine soul needs divine matter. |
For the fear of losing his position Indra stole the horse, which was part of King Dilip's 100th Ashmedha yagya. Successful completion of 100 Ashmedha yagya entitles one to become Indra, king of heaven.
|
Thus, maintaining a balance between materialism and spiritualism is indispensable.
The soul needs its happiness, which can be attained only by following the spiritual path and all this can be done when the body is healthy. As Tulasidas Ji says,
The soul needs its happiness, which can be attained only by following the spiritual path and all this can be done when the body is healthy. As Tulasidas Ji says,
|
तन बिनु भजन वेद नहिं बरना ॥
tana binu bhajana veda nahiṃ baranā ॥ The body is created and sustained by the objects of the world. Thus, materialism is indispensable. Without a shadow of doubt we have to provide the body with proper nutrition, clothes and a roof to live. But, problems arise when our ambition is to attain more and more with no end. Such greed binds us only to material achievements. Then in the race to attain more than others, we become totally oblivious of our real aim in life i.e. happiness of self. So, a wise person follows a spiritual path to attain bliss with the help of material matters, just as a warrior always shines his sword to win the war and a musician keeps his instruments in a perfect condition to improvise his talent.
Conclusion The ultimate aim of human life is God realization (any of the boxes in blue background) but the instrument given to us to achieve that aim is sansaar-the world (for us humans it is Mrityu lok in the picture). Material matters are given to us to use not to enjoy or to remain confined to them alone. We need to accept one genuine saint as our spiritual master to awaken our knowledge about our principal aim of life and to get guidance on how to attain it. In a nutshell, even though we (the jeev) are divine, yet the tool to attain spiritual happiness, our body, is material. Therefore, neither materialism nor spiritualism can exist alone. Additionally, excessive importance to materialism is very harmful. |
Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj professes "Sustain the body" using the world and aim for "bliss of Nikunj"
|
|
The Gita says:
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः ।
न चाति स्वप्नशीलस्य, जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ॥ गीता
nātyaśnatastu yogo'sti na caikāntamanaśnataḥ ।
na cāti svapnaśīlasya, jāgrato naiva cārjuna ॥ gītā
|
Materialism And Spiritualism complement each other
|
“While practicing God realization, eating too much or too little is detrimental to having good health. Similarly, too much or too little sleep is also harmful for the body.
Hence, those desirous of divine bliss ought to use material objects judiciously while pursuing the ultimate aim of life.
Hence, those desirous of divine bliss ought to use material objects judiciously while pursuing the ultimate aim of life.
|
आत्मा के लिये शरीर आवश्यक, शरीर के लिये संसार आवश्यक । ये सब तो हेल्पर हैं तुम्हारे ॥
The body is necessary for the soul and the world is necessary for the body. These are your helpers. - Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
|
