
* AUTHENTICITY * LOVE * WISDOM * RIGHTEOUSNESS * COURAGE * FREEDOM *
SPIRITUALITY vs RELIGION
Spirituality is a process of transmutation of the Self, to transcend from lower to higher consciousness through various methods and techniques involving yoga, mindful meditation, self-discovery, self-awareness, and self-realization. It leads one towards the awakening of the soul, which guides and checks the brain and its body. Spirituality signifies a verb in action, like in cases of humanity, divinity, sexuality, etc. It is more of an objective effort to act upon subjective Spiritualism. It is the spirit in motion - spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Spirituality is distinct from mythology and beliefs, focusing on practicing prescribed methods to experience the soul and guide the random emotional thoughts in one’s mind. It’s an individual implementation for understanding the self beyond the cognitive mind without involving tenets, beliefs, or faiths.
One should not confuse spirituality with religion - Spirituality is one's personal path with the divine, while religion is simply mass control.
Religion is a fear-based system of control, designed to limit the mind of the Man. Throughout history, religion goes hand in hand with the people in power, to prevent the common people from rising against their oppressors, regardless of how tyrannical they may be.
Due to mental conditioning after centuries of brainwashing and propaganda, when someone mentions the word 'God', the first thing that comes to mind is probably the image of an old man on a throne in sky.
However, before the invasions, colonization, suppression & oppression, censorship & forced conversions, and also corruption & sabotage, ancient civilizations all over the world had a different understanding of "God".
The God of the ancients is an impersonal force, not the authoritarian, narcisstic, hypocritic, self-absorbed "God" that is often portrayed, who is always micro-managing the daily lives of the terrestial beings in the world, judging them based on his likes & dislikes.
Let us now proceed with our spiritual journey and practice, to align ourselves with divinity.
OTHER FEATURED WEBSITES:
IMPORTANCE OF RIGHTEOUS LIVING
Ethymology of "Righteousness":
"Character of being righteous; purity of heart and rectitude of life; the being and doing right; conformity in character and conduct to a right standard".
An alteration, attested by early 15c., of Middle English rightwisnesse "rightwise," from Old English rehtwisnisse "justice, conformity to divine or moral law".
So, what consitutes to Righteous Living?
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Authenticity
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Love
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Wisdom
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Righteousness
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Courage
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Freedom
AUTHENTICITY
Why is Authenticity important? Authenticity is connected to TRUTH. It is most important that what you think and what you speak/do are aligned. Speech and Action are manifestations of your Thought. What are you, if you cannot even be TRUE to YOURSELF? Only when you are true to yourself, then you can start to embody the TRUTH.
Internally, you will also need to be true to youself. In today's society, many people put on a mask everyday, hoping to be acceptable to others. Very often, people say "yes" when internally they are saying "no. When not being true to oneself, the stress and resentment build up, and are "recorded" in our mind & body.
Unless you are a psychopath or a sociopath, when you do things that are against your conscience, you would instinctively KNOW that it is wrong, regardless of how you want to convince yourself otherwise. Living the righteous life is how you stay true to yourself.
LOVE
What is TRUE LOVE? It is the absence of illwill towards all sentient beings. It also includes CARE - which is the amount of time and intensity attention given to a particular subject, and COMPASSION - which is the mindset of not wanting others to be in suffering. We must not confuse true Love with passion, attachment, or romantic relationship. It is Love that can eliminate Evil.
WISDOM
We should not confuse Wisdom with Knowledge or Intellect. Knowledge is the amount of data, Intellect is the speed that you are able to sort out the data and process your thinking, but Wisdom is the ability to choose the correct way to do things using your Knowledge and Intellect, with the RIGHT MOTIVE. There is a difference in Doing Things Right, and DOING THE RIGHT THING.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
Without morality, people would behave like animals. The world would be a harsh place to survive. Not only do you need to survive the weather, flora & fauna, you also need to handle people that you cannot trust. Only with morality, people can regain trust in one another, start working together in cooperation, and making the world a better place. Morality is what make Mankind worthy of being the stewards of Earth.
Righteousness is often used in contexts where moral purity is being emphasized, especially when someone is trying to live in alignment with divine will or cosmic justice. It may also suggest a level of virtue or honor in the face of trials or adversity.
Righteousness can be seen as a broader concept, which often incorporates not just behavior but the intention behind the action, and a person's relationship with a higher power or divine entity.
COURAGE
Danger may be real, but fear is a choice. And COURAGE is the will to do what is necessary even in the face of fear.
Even with the best intentions, without the courage to manifest the thought into speech or action, it is futile. In terms of survival, you may have the most knowledge, best equipment, best team, but if you break under stress, all those benefits would be of no use.
In times of tyranny, it takes courage to stand up to evil, and to do what is right. Even if you do not do anything, you have already taken the side of the oppressor.
Many succumb to their own moral weakness, fear of the unknown, attachment to the comfort zone, or simply reluctant to trade their conveniences to take a stand for morality.
FREEDOM
Why is freedom so important? Only with freedom can true morality flourish. Any type of threat, intimidation, bribery. blackmailing, manipulation, coercion, or physical violence is considered to be against individual freedom.
If people adhere to the law only because of the fear of punishment or due to the possibility of receiving certain benefits, then that is not true morality.
Usually in such scenarios, in due time, evil people (especially those in power, or with power) will find loopholes to bypass the legal system, or find ways to avoid being captured or arrested, either by bribery, influence, or getting a scapegoat to take the blame for them.
AXIOMS FOR RIGHTEOUS LIVING
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There is no religion higher than Truth.
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
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Love Is the Law. Law Under Will.
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Only when you are authentic to yourself, then can you be authentic to others.
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It is the authentic intention (conscious or unconscious) behind your thoughts, speech and actions that matter.
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Do what is right, without any expectations of whatever results it may bring.
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Empty thy mind of evil, and fill it with good.
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Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it. Right is right, even if no one is doing it.
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Do not steal: Theft & robbery is stealing another's property. Rape is stealing another's sexual consent. Extortion is stealing another's freedom of lifestyle. Trespassing is stealing another's personal security. Kidnapping is stealing another's physical freedom. Slander is stealing another's personal integrity. Fearmongering is stealing another's peace of mind. Badmouthing is stealing another's harmonious relationship. Deception is stealing another's access of true knowledge. Coercion is stealing another's freedom of choice.
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Your thoughts become your speech, your speech becomes your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits shape your character, and your character leads to your destiny.
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The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what your choose, what your think, and what you do is who you become.
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There is a difference between discernment and being judgemental. Discernment is with wisdom. Being judgemental is with ego.
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True courage is acting in alignment with virtue, regardless of consequence.
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One must take the truth as authority, rather than authority as truth.
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There is a difference between doing the thing right, and doing the right thing.
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It is not WHO is right, but WHAT is right that is of importance.
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Exposing evil and deception isn't just a noble act - It is your moral duty.
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Do not be too cowardly to do what you know to be right,or to be too cowardly to avoid doing what you know to be wrong.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
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There is but one thing of real value – to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.
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The superior man understands righteousness. The inferior man understands profits.
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AHIMSA is a mindset that is against violence - be it via thought, speech or action, overtly or covertly. It is everyone's duty not to use violence, as well as to prevent violence from being used unto others. Under such circumstances, it is permissible to use defensive force to minimize the damage.