We look at the statue of the Buddha and are attracted by the serenity and peace on his face. When we face difficult times in our lives, and the known world is completely shaken, we feel disturbed and anxious, unable to handle this uncertainty. We recall the statue of the Buddha and set a target to attend a Vipassana camp. We feel that doing the Vipassana camp will bring the same peace and serenity to our faces. There are so many websites and books that promote the idea that we can create thoughts of prosperity and that, if we keep repeating positive thoughts, those things start manifesting in our lives. It appears that spirituality is a talisman for getting whatever we want in our lives.
Yes, the domain of spirit or consciousness is full of all the possibilities. But, having seen so many possibilities, why would I want to get fixated on the one I started with? Suppose a person sees an advertisement for a property, is impressed, and decides to visit the project office to buy it. Upon arriving, he finds many more options. Would the buyer still be fixated on the property he liked when he saw the advertisement? No. He will look for all the possibilities. Similarly, when we undertake the spiritual journey into the realm of the unknown, we experience many things we would not have imagined. Why would we stay fixated on some imagination from the domain of the known?
When an astronaut starts his journey to the moon, he has to be in that tiny rocket for a long time. Would he compare the space inside that capsule with that in his flat? Would he miss the morning walk in the garden? Would he miss talking to his family members? I don't think that will happen. His complete attention and focus will be on what lies in the space. Every moment will be full of exploration and new experiences. Experiences in the domain of the unknown can't be compared with the known, nor can they be understood or appreciated by those who choose to remain in the known. Suppose there is a function in the family, and a person decides to attend a Vipassana camp during the same period; it would be very difficult for the family members to appreciate it. Why would he leave all that partying, dancing, and food for painful sitting for 10 days, when food isn't available after 1PM, you can't talk to anybody, and you can't even carry a mobile or books? It's beyond the comprehension of the people partying and attending the functions. That's why it does not make sense to crave for their validation.
Spirituality is not a tool to achieve what we desire. It seems quite ridiculous to sing some songs in the name of God and then keep all our unreasonable demands before God, and if he does not grant our wishes, to curse Him left and right. That seems utter stupidity. It also does not make sense to believe that if we follow the path of spirituality, the forces of nature will support us in achieving our goals. Nor does it make any sense to believe that spirituality will take us to some metaphysical world or equip us with certain powers. Spirituality is all about entering the world of the unknown, rather than being anchored to the known. Magic takes place when Ram enters the forest. He meets Ahilya, Kevat, and Sabri. He meets Hanuman. Could Ram have planned all these things while sitting in Ayodhya? How could he even think of reaching Lanka and killing Ravan? The saddest part is that in this world, everyone, including parents, advises you to take a safe path. What looks so funny is that the parents are the biggest advocates of security, even as their own lives are so hollow despite all the security they have. But that's a very strong narrative that has been built over centuries, and for an individual, it takes a lifetime, and often even more, to break free of this narrative to live a meaningful life.
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