The power within

Life in the 1990s is increasingly uncertain and fast. The challenge of living in today's world requires greater personal skills and inner strength than at any other time in human history. Continuously accelerating change, driven by our use of modern technology, and a breakdown in basic human and spiritual values, demands a new kind of education that reawakens and empowers the spirituality of the individual.

The aforesaid topic was presented recently, under a broad outline called "Self Empowerment -- Facing Challenges Through Inner Strength" in a lecture in Jakarta by B.K. Jayanti, director of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. Having had the privilege of listening to this enlightening speech, I thought it would be a good idea to share with the readers my own understanding of some essential elements of the discourse.

Information once processed becomes knowledge. Knowledge when put into practice becomes wisdom. In this age of satellite communications, we are not lacking in information and we also have multiple choices. Shouldn't these help us make right decisions? Sadly, no! Due to extraneous influences, we fail to identify the right choice with which we could be comfortable in the future.

On the other hand, our ancestors with little education, less information-input and even lesser choices were considered wise. Nowadays, the general trend is mostly negativity. Moving toward goodness, therefore, needs constant attention and extra energy, similar to an upward movement on a roller-coaster.

It is understood that the fastest-growing industry in the UK is "retreats" -- a clear indication of the extreme pressures that life exerts on people.

The tremendous increase in worldwide population is taking its toll on the Earth's already dwindling natural resources. Crimes against society are also leapfrogging both in volume and variety. In such a scene of disruption and chaos, the only course open to us is to inject values into society. In order to achieve this, we must seek values within, and we should draw out our inner spiritual power to implement corrective courses of action.

We must listen to our conscience. Whenever possible, we should create moments of silence in order to allow our intellect to become refined and powerful. We should rely more on our intuition (call it a divine force, if you like) which would guide us with charity onto the right path. The transformation on an individual level will ultimately lead to a beneficial change in society as a whole. Civilization in the upcoming 21st century demands equality and justice for all, and the future of the world clearly rests on the moral and spiritual upliftment of humanity.

The nature of the human soul in the original state is God. Creation is only an image of the creator. Every one of us should realize the power within our inner beings, by driving out the negative thoughts from our minds. Through meditation, one can reach the depths of the inner power. Meditation thus becomes a linkage with God.

One who has the vision of pure elevated love for all is indeed a special soul.

D. CHANDRAMOULI

Jakarta