The figures
are heart-stopping.
As per the Times Of India Report on the
recently commemorated World Heart Day, a mindboggling 72 per cent of urban
Indians are vulnerable to cardiac troubles—and at an increasingly younger age. It
doesn’t take much guesswork to figure out that mounting levels of stress are
responsible for this state of affairs.
Correspondingly,
‘spirituality’ the singular antidote to young lives spiraling out of control—is
the main casualty in the gladitorial arena of modern-day work cultures and
lifestyles that demand more and more from the individual---irrespective of the
cost.
Contrary to
popular perception, spirituality is not for old fogeys, nor does it pertain to
any religion. It is a state of being that urges the individual to make peace
with himself and the world; an attitude that prescribes to the timeless values
of hard-work, patience and persistence. A world view that allows you to retain
your self-worth, despite the fact that there’s always going to be someone
richer and smarter. A belief that asks you to pause for a breath every now and
then, and ask: Just how much is enough?
At what price? Is a healthy bank balance an end in itself if my family life is
disturbed?
But in an
all-pervasive materialistic atmosphere where ‘greed is good’ and short-cuts to
success a prevalent practice, few people have the time to listen to that inner
voice that says: relax, take it easy.
So what if you haven’t got all you wanted, right away? Tomorrow is another day.
And systematic planning backed by a clean action plan that takes into account
your dignity as well as that of others--- will take you places.
As the old
and the wise have always said in different ways: anything that’s worth
having---be it professional success or meaningful relationships----cannot be
rushed. Simply put: there is no free
lunch. If you want something, be sure it is exactly what you want. Decision making is
easy, provided there are no contradictions in your value system. This state of
acceptance of the pros and cons of a situation with grace and a smile---is what
spirituality is all about.
The
legendary scholar and management guru par excellence Chanakya’s words ring ever
so true today. “The happiness and peace attained by those satisfied by the
nectar of spiritual tranquility is not attained by the greedy and
unrooted---restlessly moving here and there.”
Just as your
body needs nourishment in the form of wholesome, well-balanced meals at regular
intervals, your heart requires that dose of inner peace to be healthy. To that
end, both educational institutes and corporate—ought to introduce the
individual to the concept of spirituality—at the very outset.
Not only
will it bring about a healthier work culture, it train the spotlight on the
things that count: human relations, team spirit, consideration towards others, better
tolerance of life’s delays, and peace of mind.
Acquiring
that spiritual bent of mind may not be simple initially, but once it becomes a
habit, life becomes that much simpler. Professionals in their mid thirties need
not die untimely deaths, and India will truly ‘shine’ in the clean glow of
spirituality.
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