Religion of the Uplifted

Religion has four basic definitions in the dictionary. The first two declare that it is the belief in a superhuman controlling power termed ‘God’. The third calls it a particular system of faith and worship.

But I would say that the fourth is the most true and appropriate. It says that religion is something one is devoted to. According to me that is what religion is all about. Believing in something and someone and be completely and honestly devoted to it.

For one in love, his god is his beloved and religion his love for his beloved. Whatever he does, he does for the happiness of his love. His every action strives to make his beloved happy.

For a true engineer, religion is his machines, his produce, and his design, for it is towards these things a true engineer is devoted to.
For an artist it is his art, his painting, his music his dance. Only, his means to attain that abstract form are different.

Some sing, some dance, some paint, others solve problems; some others recite mantras or read namaaz. Yet, if you look closely, all strive to attain the abstract form which many call ‘God’, which is hidden somewhere in the depths of human mind and only concentration is required to approach closer and closer to it.

The only difference lies in the means of concentration which varies form mind to mind. One has to recognise what kind of labyrinth his mind is, at the end of which lies the abstract form all strive to achieve, and accordingly select his means.
The one who realises this is the one who, I believe, is enlightened and truly uplifted.

27th August 2002