MATERIALIST SPIRITUALITY:
Spirituality, essentially an idealist theory, dealing with centrality of idea of spirit or unit of self-knowledge, and on the other hand, Materialism, a theoretical framework which attempts to describe the centrality of material conditions in the making up of the world around us, including ideas and all other emergent properties. And here I am, with an epiphany, to merge both of them.
I was reading Durga Saptshati, essentially a spiritual scripture centered around the concept of Shakti as a feminine energy, or power as a feminine energy of Nature. I was reading this because I found myself disturbed by the recent war like situations of India and Pakistan. Amidst all confusion where some people are supporting war (Mostly, these are people from non-border states of India) and those who are wishing for soon ending of war (These are people for whom it is a direct risk, they live in bordering states of India), I found both these sides flawed since both of them seem to be coming from a place of selfishness, ego and self-centrism. It does not matter if you call your ego nationalism, Ego is ego. Similarly, the earlier killings of Indian Civilians by asking their religion were not right, so just to wish that my homes remain safe when people are getting killed is also self-centered and hence coming from ego.
Hence, I returned to scriptures for answer about how to feel, how to think. and I got my answer. In the first chapter of Durga Saptshati, When Vishnu sleeps by virtue of Maa Prakriti, Madhu and Kaitap, two demons took birth from the ear wax of Vishnu. This is essentially the paradox of nature. Nature, we worship as maa, is so neutral. It is like GDP. It has nothing to do with the equitable distribution. It is focussed on growth. Nature is also oriented towards preservation and growth. When a new life form grows up, matter takes newer forms, Nature thrives. So, it is very obvious that nature does not have special favours for a particular species. It is very likely, that one day, Humans will be wiped out and a new and more capable species will take its place.
The Demons start to chase Brahma, the god of creation. Natural growth is mostly a destructive creation. Whenever a new creation, a new form of material conditions takes over, the older systems collapse, the older conditions are demolished. In these situations, we find ourselves in a contradiction of theories.
Materialist interpretation of history tells us that the movement of material conditions, or history, has to be oriented in a direction which we want it to be. But, on the other hand, Adhyatma, or spiritual doctrine states that we cannot win Maya, or the manifestation of material conditions over our lives. Nature manifests itself as maya. The only way is to do Stuti of Maya. How do you do Stuti of Maya. Let's dive in.
Maya, a form of Devi, the feminine mystery, or a manifestation of nature, can only be understood as such. The Fortuna, of Machiavelli, comes to mind. A cunning woman, which wishes to create unfavourable circumstances for you. But does a mother wish to deliberately put inconveinient circumstances for her offsprings? Then? What may be the reason? The Stuti of Maya involves a surrender in front of the Divine mother, mother whom you always rebelled, mother who you never listened to, mother you always asked to exploit from, mother who always wanted your growth, only if you would have aligned yourself with Nature, and demanded less comfort would you have thrived.
You have anger issues. How many times have you denied that? How many times have you tried to think that somehow, you are different from your material circumstances? Reminds me a Sher of Jaun Elia, the Urdu poet,
है बशिंदे हम भी इसी बस्ती के,
तो खुद पर भी भरोसा क्यों करें हम?
How many times have you denied your own nature? How many times have you justified your ego, by denying it as self-respect? How many times have you called your ego as Swabhimaan? Your restlessness does not come from material circumstances, but from your choices. You suffer because of your false imaginations. You suffer because you like to suffer. You suffer because you interpret nature as against you.
Come out of slumber. Do not give way to ego. That is the materialist spirituality. That is the Stuti of Maya. That is the Philosophy of war. Consider War as a spiritual surrender to nature. Mother nature, you gave me this anger, now let it be used by you for the things that you determine, not me.
Not me, Idham na mum!
Wars are not important. Fight wars, Or wage for peace, the actions are permissible. But the intent is where Adhyatma locates your cause of suffering. Why do you want peace? Ask! And you will realize, that maybe even in preaching peace, there is an ego involved.
अजब माया है तेरी माँ की अक्सर, शांति की चाह में अभिमान हंसता दीखता है
Why do you want war? Introspect and you will realize that here also, is involved an ego, masked as the love for your country. Is it love because it is a country and a country deserves love? or is it loved because it is your country.
This is what Arjuna is being told by Krishna on the battlefield, introspect, Do you want to not kill your grandpaa because Grandpaas should not be killed, or because he is "your" Grandpaa. "Yours" and "Mine" is the Language of ego.
Come out of it. And then whatever you wish to do. Then you will not suffer. War is not bad. Killing is not bad. The intent should be pure. Justice, if is the intent, War is justified. If Nationalistic ego, is the intent of war, it is unjustified.
This is the Stuti of Maya. This is the most correct philosophy of war. A war where first enemy that is killed is Ego of yourself. When you kill, bring Kalashnikov, that's fine.
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