The word religion is derived from the Latin word ‘re ligare’. Re means ‘back’ and ligare means ‘to the origin’. Together they mean ‘that which binds one back to the origin’. The origin of all jivas is paramatma. To get to the origin is the ultimate aim of human life. This necessitates realization of God within the human body.
Religion is essentially the manifestation of divinity already in man. It is not anything gross which is to be stuffed into a man from outside. It is present in every human being. It is essentially the uncovering of what lies hidden in the inner realm. It is seeing and experiencing the inner world with a divine eye, just as the two eyes see the maya-ridden world outside. While the latter binds us to the elusive phenomenal physical world of objects, the former unites us with Supreme Brahman resulting in the manifestation of our true divine nature.
There is no real difference between an ignorant materialist and the highest ecclesiastical giant who can render high-winded speeches. We are all atheists till we have actually perceived God within this human body.
Ashutoshji Maharaj
(Shri Ashutosh Ji Maharaj is the founder of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan in
Explanation Of the above verse -
There is no real difference ... perceived God within this human body.
This statement appears to suggest that true understanding of
spirituality transcends mere intellectual belief or religious authority. Let's
break it down:
"Ignorant materialist": This term refers to
someone who focuses solely on material possessions or physical reality,
neglecting or denying the existence of anything beyond the tangible world.
"Highest ecclesiastical giant": This phrase likely
refers to a prominent religious figure or leader, possibly someone with
significant authority within a religious institution.
"Rendering high-winded speeches": This suggests
that the ecclesiastical giant may engage in elaborate or eloquent speeches
about spiritual matters.
"We are all atheists till we have actually perceived
God within this human body": This is the crux of the statement. It
suggests that regardless of one's professed beliefs or position within a
religious hierarchy, true spiritual understanding only comes through personal
experience of the divine, often described here as "perceiving God within
this human body." Until one has this direct experience, they are
effectively "atheists" in the sense that they lack genuine connection
or perception of the divine.
In essence, the statement seems to advocate for a deeper, experiential understanding of spirituality over mere intellectual or institutional adherence to religious doctrine or materialistic worldview. It implies that true spiritual insight transcends both blind faith and intellectualism, requiring a personal, transformative encounter with the divine.
------------The origin of all jivas is ... God within the human body.
The concept you're referring to is deeply rooted in various
philosophical and spiritual traditions, particularly within Hinduism and some
schools of thought in other religions. Let's break it down:
Origin of Jivas: In Hindu philosophy, "jiva"
refers to the individual soul or living being. According to this belief system,
all jivas originate from the Paramatma, which can be understood as the Supreme
Soul or the Ultimate Reality. Paramatma is often equated with Brahman, the
unchanging reality amidst and beyond the world, as described in Advaita
Vedanta.
Ultimate Aim of Human Life: Different philosophical and
religious traditions propose various goals for human life. In the context you
mentioned, the ultimate aim is to realize or attain union with the Paramatma or
the Supreme Being. This attainment is often described as Moksha (liberation) or
Nirvana (enlightenment), where the individual soul transcends the cycle of
birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) and merges with the divine.
Realization of God Within: Within the human body, there's
believed to reside the divine essence or spark, often referred to as the Atman.
Realizing this divine essence within oneself and recognizing its identity with
the Paramatma is considered essential for spiritual evolution and liberation.
This realization is often achieved through various spiritual practices such as
meditation, self-inquiry, devotion (bhakti), and yoga.
The journey towards realizing God within and ultimately reaching the origin (Paramatma) involves introspection, self-discovery, and a deep understanding of one's true nature beyond the limitations of the physical body and the ego. It's a path that requires sincere effort, dedication, and a willingness to transcend the mundane aspects of existence in pursuit of higher spiritual truths.