The Intertwined Nature of the Secular and the Spiritual (Swami Kirshnananda)

-------------- FAQ on the Unity of the Secular and Spiritual What is the traditional understanding of the “secular“ and the “spiritual“ and how has it manifested historically? Historically, particularly in European contexts, the secular and spiritual have been viewed as distinct and often opposing domains. The state, representing secular power, dealt with worldly affairs, while the church, representing spiritual authority, was concerned with matters of faith and the divine. This led to conflicts and divisions, as seen in the relationship between monarchs and the papacy. This division led to a feeling that engagement with the secular world was somehow separate from pursuing a spiritual life, and even detrimental to it Does a true division between the secular and spiritual exist within a person? No, the idea of a strict separation between the secular and the spiritual is considered an illusion. A person is not composed of two distinct departments, one secular and the other spiritual, but rather an integrated whole. Our connection to society and the world is inherent, not external. Similarly, our aspirations for the divine are not separate from our lived experience but are intertwined with it. Trying to compartmentalize life into secular and spiritual aspects is an artificial distinction that doesn’t reflect reality. If there is no inherent separation, how does the idea of a “secular“ realm arise? The idea of the secular emerges from a flawed perception rooted in a “baby mind“ mentality. This mentality imagines God as being “above“ and the world as being “below,“ leading to a sense of separation between the divine and the worldly. This is a limited view that does not acknowledge the omnipresence of the divine. Thinking of God as separate leads to a finite understanding of God, society and nature; creating a state of ’spiritual bankruptcy’. How does our involvement in society and nature relate to our spiritual life? Our engagement with society and nature is not separate from our spiritual journey but an integral part of it. We are not isolated individuals but a part of the vast web of human society and the natural world. Just as we cannot separate ourselves from our own bodies, we cannot separate ourselves from the world around us. True spirituality acknowledges our interconnectedness and involvement in this total operation, seeing society and nature as part of the same divine manifestation. If secular activities are not inherently separate, how should we understand actions and work in a spiritual context? Work, in a spiritual sense, is not just about ordinary actions (karma) which bind one through cause and effect, but rather about divine action (karma yoga). This means actions done with the awareness that our being is connected to the divine and the totality of existence. Like the sun’s activity being an expression of its being, our actions should be expressions of our connection to the divine. In this state, actions are not binding, but liberating, as they are emanations of pure existence. What is the nature of “true spirituality,“ and how does it affect our perception of the world? True spirituality is not about seeking an external God “above“ or some distant realm. It is a vision of God and a recognition that everything, including oneself, is a manifestation of the divine. It involves seeing the world from God’s perspective, as a self-contemplation of the whole, where nothing is separate. This vision of totality dissolves the illusion of separation between subject and object, the perceiver and the perceived, revealing their unity. What is Samadhi, and how does it relate to the unity of the secular and spiritual? Samadhi, often described as communion, is the state of experiencing the unity of all things. It’s a state where the perceived divide between the object and the subject of perception disappears. It’s not just an experience; it is a transformation of perception where our limitations melt and we become part of the totality. In this state, the boundaries of individual existence dissolve, and one feels a connection to all things and with the divine. How can we integrate this understanding into our daily lives? To integrate this, we should seek moments of solitude and reflection, contemplate the interconnectedness of all things, and cultivate a vision of the world that sees the divine everywhere, not just in temples or holy places. Instead of constantly seeking outwards, we should look inwards, and realize that our true self is a microcosm of the universe. We must be present with this moment, right now, for it is an eternal moment where the divine is present. This recognition, along with the love that stems from it will create a temple wherever you go.