UNIT 4 SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Structure
4.1 Introduction

4.2 Objectives

4.3 Meaning of Spiritual Development

4.3.1 Spirituality

4.4 Religion and Spiritual Development

4.4.1 What is Religion?
4.4.2 Happiness and Spiritual Development

4.5 Science and Spiritual Development

4.6 Indian Approach towards Spiritual Development

4.6.1 Indian Thought of Self-Knowledge
4.62 Human needs & Self-fulfillment

4.7 Yoga and Religon

4.7.1 Concept of yoga
4.7.2 Benefits of Yoga

4.8 Meditation
I 4.8.1 Features of Meditation

4.9 Spiritual Integration

4.10 Let Us Sum Up

4.11 Answers to Check Your Progress

4.12 References

4.1 INTRODUCTION
In the process of self-development, you have so far studied physical, emotional
social and intellectual aspects. Man is a combination of body, mind and spirit -
the conscious part of a person. Proper union amongst the three promotes a well-
balanced personality. Such a person enjoys peace in 'personal', 'social' and or
''environmental" inter-relationships. Every individual should be clear about one's
vision and mission in life. Vision concerns one's personality and ambition in life.
Mission relates to one's purpose in life. It concerns our surroundings: both living
and non-living. Mission rises in quality, according to the level of one's
consciousness; a spiritually developed person rises above petty conflicts in life
and sees beyond selfish interests. For such a person the entire world is one family
and he believes in the oneness and inter-dependence of all forms of matter and
energy-
Self Develapment
4.2 OBJECTIVES
After you read this unit you will come to know about:

the meaning of spiritual development;

the relationship between religion and science with spirituality;

the of Indian approach to the development of spirituality;

the importance of yoga and meditation towards spiritual development

4.3 MEANING OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

- -

Spiritual Development or knowledge of the Self means to experience original

divinity in the human beings. As the visible parts of trees are supported by
invisible roots, similarly human body's visible beautill organs, sweet voice and
movements are supported by an invisible energy that keeps it functioning and
alive. The roots of human life lie in this subtle energy. This invisible life-energy
is known as the Spirit or Soul. This living, non-physical entity holds our desires,
emotions, thoughts and personality.

Spiritual development embraces everything with the sense of oneness. It soars

above personal self-gain. With spiritual development one becomes concerned
about the well-being of others and such a shift in attitude is termed as
Transformation. By transformation, monotony changes into celebration and anger
takes the form of inspiration. This caring and sharing attitude is called knowledge
of the self which flushes out anger, hatred and jealousy.

Spiritual growth isn't so much about changing our world or our lives, but about
changing ourselves and how we perceive the world. It is like waking up and
seeing the world through a new pair of glasses. Our connections with others
change. A holistic approach to our life and our overall health comes into being,
and a balanced lifestyle becomes the goal. For example, we start eating better,
quit smoking and start exercising, and so on. In addition to these, spiritual
growth is also characterized by a growing connection with a higher power, which
some might experience through prayer and meditation.

4.3.1 Spirituality
Spirituality is that which relates to or affects the human spirit or soul as opposed
to material or physical things. Spirituality touches that part of oneself that is
not dependant on material things or physical comforts. What is most obvious
in the meaning of "spirituality" is that it comes from its root word, 'Spirit'. Spirit
refers to those that cannot be directly perceived by our senses but which can
be deduced or inferred by our observations like love, justice, peace, etc. spiritual
development occurs when consciousness transcends the boundaries of body,
language, reason, and culture. It is the movement h m simple, dependent spirituaL
thought and behavior; toward subtle, contemplative, and lmnscendent understandmg
of both inner and outer life experiences. Spiritual development is a process
of transcendence that could be seen as a continuing spiral of increasingly broad
understanding and experience of oneself and the universe.
 Essential Keys to Spiritual Development are the following: Spiritual Development

1. Control of thoughts
2. Control of our actions

4. Understand every being

. 5. Complete openness
6. Inner harmony
I
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t; 4.4 RELIGION AND SPIRITUAL
DEVELOPMENT
I:
F What is the difference between spirituality and religion? Religion refers to an
I institutionalizedand codified set of beliefs and practices that is a cultural expression
of a higher power. With that definition, reading and memorizing Scriptures, doing
daily prayers and rituals, would be considered being religious. What is spirituality?
It refers to a personal belief in and experience of a supreme being, or an ultimate
human condition, a sense of connection and a sense of inner wholeness within or
outside formal religious structures. Religion can be a way to express a person's
spirituality. If someone's religion helps to enhance the experience of a supreme
being for example, then religion can be just as important as a person's spirituality.
In this sense a person can be both religious and spiritual. Judaism, Christianity
and Islam, all preach helping and ministering to the poor and less fortunate.
Spiritual development gives substance or meaning to our religious life. Unless our
religious life is accompanied by spiritual development, it merely remains a set of
doctrines or practices. As members of society, we have a set of religious beliefs
which defme our religious identity and our religious life. If we are Christians we
believe in God and in Jesus Christ. If we are Muslims we believe in Allah and
if we are,Hindus we believe in Brahman and his diverse manifestations. But if we
do not grow in our spiritual life we take these beliefs and practices for granted.
We believe in them and do things as told to us by our religion because we think
that those are expected of us. As we don't learn to internalize practices they do
not really influence our lives.
The second relevance of spiritual development to our religious life is that it is the
bond which unites all the religious groups in the world. There are around 20
major religions in the world. In the course of history up to the present time, these
religious groups have disagreed with one another, sometimes violently. Wars have
been fought in the name of religion and countless lives have been sacrificed. If
we grow in our spiritual life, we realize that all of us are deeply united in spirit,
no matter what our religion is, because it is the same Spirit who gives life to us
and guides us to have religious peace and harmony.

1 4.4.1 What is Religion?

The word 'Religion' is derived from the Latin word 'religare'where're' means
back, and 'ligare' means to bind. So religion binds one to the origin. Religion
is an organized belief, it is also known as 'Faith'. The Major religions of the
World are: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism & Sikhism (of Indian Origin), Judaism,
Self Development Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism& Baha'is (of S.W. Asian Origin), Taoism and
Conhianism ( h m China), and Shintoism fiom Japan. The major religions in
context of India may be elaborated:
Hinduism: There is no unique philosophy that forms the basis of the faith
of the majority of Inch's population. Hinduism is perhaps the only religious
tradition that is so diversified in its theoretical premises and practical
expressions as to be called a "museum of religions". The Rig Eda,
Upanishads and the Bhagwad Gita can all be described as the sacred text
of the Hindus. Unlike most other religions, Hinduism does not advocate the
worship of one particular deity. At one end of the scale, it is an exploration
of the 'Ultimate Reality'; at the other end there are cults that wordup spirits,
trees and animals. There are festivals and ceremonies associated not only
with gods and goddesses but also with the sun, moon, planets, rivers, oceans,
trees and animals. Some of the popular Hindu festivals are Deepawali, Holi,
Dussehra, Ganesh Chaturthi, Pongal, Janariasthmi and Shiva Ratri. These
innumerable festive occasions lend Hinduism its amazing popular appeal and
make the Indian tradition rich and colorful.
Sikhism: The Sikh religion founded by Guru Nanak, emerged in the 16"
century, The Gwus who followed Nmak contributed to the consolidation
and spread of Sikhism. The teachings of Guru Nanak were incorporated in
the 'Gttru Granth Sahib ',the Holy Book of the Sikhs. Sklusm propounds
monotheism, i.e. worship of one God. It also opposes the caste system and
believes that all men are equal. Today, many Sikh practices are common to
Hindus. Though the Sikhs constitute less than 2 percent of the Indian
population, they have become a distinct element in the configuration of the
Indian religious tradition and the Indian society.
Buddhism: Buddhism originated as an offshoot of Hinduism in India, but
eventually it became popular all over Asia. The personality and teachings of
Ga- Buddha, the fbmder of this faith, have illumined the lives of millions
of people in Japan, China and Southeast Asia. There are strong lines'of
similarity between Buddhimn and the basic teachmgs ofHinduism. Budc€him
rests upon four Noble Truths; (i) suffering is universal, (ii) it is caused by
desire and yearning (iii) suffering can be prevented and overcome and (iv)
eradicatipn bf desires can lead to removalof suffering- To prevent suflkhg
one has tb conquer craving and&& and this conquest leads,&the attainment
of nirvana or complete enlightenment.
' Islam: Unlike Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhsm which emerged as offshoots
of Hinduism, the concept, customs and religious practices of Islam were
unique to this faith which professed universal brotherhood and submission to
Allah-the God Almighty. The Muslim invaders in the 12th century and the
Mughal rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries helped in the spread of Islam
in India. In its first phase, Islam was aggressive. But the mystics of Islam,
or the Sufi saints, helped in spreading the message of peace and universal
love. The spirit of brotherhood propounded by Sufi saints and preachers
like Kabu and Nanak helped in loosening the rigidity of the caste system.
The interaction of the two faiths led to a synthesis of Hindu and Islamic
elements in almost every sphere of life and culture. ARer an initial period of
conflict and codiontation, today the two religions have accommodated and
enriched each other.
 Christianity: By tradition, Christianity is said to have arrived in India with Spiritual Development
Saint Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, who spent some years in
South India and possibly died there. However, others believe that the first
missionary to arrive in the country was Saint Bartholomew. Historically,
Christian missionary activity started with the advent of Saint Francis Xavier
in 1544. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries Catholic as well as Protestant
missionaries preached Christian doctrines in India and also made important
contributions to social improvement and education in India. Much of the
modern influences in the Indian society can be attributed to the role of
Christianity in India. Christian missionaries helped in setting up schools and
colleges all over India and also spread the message of faith and goadwill in
the country. Christianity and its teachings influenced a number of intellectuals
and thinkers in India, including Mahatma Gandhi. Today, the Christians in
India number about 30 million and consist of people fiom every denomination
of Christianity.

4.4.2 Happiness and Spiritual Development

Happiness is a complex feeling which can't be defined in just few lines. Every
person has different description of happiness and thus, it can't be generalized.
Different people have different perspective and thus different meanings of happiness.
For instance, for a poverty stricken labour, getting two meals a day is a happy
moment, while for an industrialist, a profit of millions is a reason to be happy. A
small child is happy getting a Cadbury chocolate while an adult gets happy getting
a good job. Thus, happiness is a feeling which varies from person to person.
Therefore happiness is an ultimate feeling of self-contentment which depends on
an individual's nature and attitude towards life. The link between spirituality and
happiness is pretty well-established. More spirituality brings more happiness.
Children who feel that their lives have meaning and values and who develop deep,
quality relationships-both measures of spirituality, - are happier than the children
greed in life Lack of spiritual beliefs can often make you feel like your life is empty
and meaningless, while a strong spkitual foundation can help you see that there
is a deeper part of you. You might call this your soul, spirit, essence or divinity,
but the name doesn't matter as much as the realization that this part of you is
timeless, infinite and wise - whch helps you feel like "more" than you would as
a limited physical person.

Thus happiness or peace is the art of enjoying life situations. It depends not on
circumstances but on attitude and our approach to life. It is cultivated in three
ways:-
by learning positive habits e.g. serving, loving and helping others
by unlearning the negative ways of living e.g. selfishness and not caring for
others
by counting our opportunities and not difficulties

4.5 SCIENCE AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Science investigates to know the truth about the universe. It studies phenomena
of the physical and natural world, establishing the 'cause and effect' relationship.
 Self Development Scientific temper and modernization are not against spiritual development. Even
westem scientists are now working for a balance between science and technology
and search of the self. Science discovers the outer self whereas spirituality
discovers the inner self. Harmony between Science and Spirituality is the need
of the hour. Spiritual truths have been revealed through Vedanta or the Upanishads.
Vedanta declares that human individual is physically lirmted but spiritually unlimited.
Science and spiritual development must go hand in hand. Einstein said, "Religion
is blind without Science and Science is lame without religion"Swami Vivekananda
said, "What we want is western Science coupled with Vedanta".
Science and Spirituality are heading towards co-existence. World Health
Organization (W.H.O.) has revised the definition of health by adding a spiritual
dimension to its concept. W.H.O. now recognizes 'Yoga' as a great healer of
many ailments.

Check Your Progress 2

1. What is the relationship between Science and Spiritual development?
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2. What is spirituality?
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3. How is religion and spiritual development related?
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4. Briefly state what is happiness?
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4.6 INDIAN APPROACH TOWARDS SPIRITUAL

DEVELOPMENT
Indian Philosophy is essentially spiritual. It is dressed up in myths, legends and
stories to cater to the understanding of the common man. The founders of
philosophy strive for a socio-spiritual reformation of the country. The ultimate
truths are truths of the spirit and this very crux echoes the spirituality in Indian
philosophy in a subtle way. Indian philosophy is embedded in the doctrines of
Indian religion which includes the teachugs of Buddha, the philosophies of Mahavira
or the thoughts of Sankara. Belief in God is an inseparable part of Indian religion
and indeed that of the Indian philosophy. The beauty of the Indian philosophy
gains dimension as it colossally pifies the Metaphysical God with the Personal
God who is the basis of all morality and ethics. The concept of Ishvara is the
- 52 very core of Indian Philosophy. Ishvara in Sanskrit means, the Lord. In Indian

I
 philosophy therefore Ishvara is considered as the ultimate Ruler, the supreme Spiritual Development
power and is indeed the preternatural being of the Cosmos. According to Indian
philosophy, God is the creator, the preserver and the destroyer of the cosmos.
Brahman is the symbol of divinity in Indian philosophy and therefore remains the
symbol of the Divine essence of the cosmos. The reference of Brahman is also
in the MundakaUpanzkM, which is regarded as the basis of the Indian philosophy.
The concept of spirituality in the form of God or Ishvara, as supreme power
leading to eternal bliss is also imparted in the Bhagwad Gita.
4.6.1 Indian Thought of Self-Knowledge
The crux of Indian thought is that we are not bodies (matter) but we are divine
spirit (soul).
This coordinal realization is hammered again and again through the Vedas which
speaks of the interdependence of earth; atmosphere and human life. The Bhagwad
Gita teaches that the everlasting soul does not die, only the body made from the
*matterperishes so one should not bereave for the dead. Panchtmtra: - the
stories meant for children teach positive human values. Its message to the world
is "Vaszadhaiva ~tttzambakam"meaning the entire world is one family.
Encyclopedic Spiritual Wisdom is available in our ancient literatures like the
, Upanishads; Ramayana; Mahabharata; Buddhist - Jain - Sufi & Sikh books of
knowledge. The importance of the soul as doer (programmer) is emphasized
in the Indian philosophy. Soul drives the body to act, and commands intellect.
4.6.2 Human Needs & Self-fulfillment
In modern education, the nearest to Indian approach is Abraham Maslow. He
has tried to explain how Self-development takes place, through hierarchy of
Needs. He placed 'physical needs' at the lowest level, then 'safety needs', 'social
needs' and 'esteem needs' that rise upwards with 'self-actualization needs' at the
top position. It is here that the sense of llfillment becomes the maximum. (See

MASLQWS HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

Fig, 4.6.2 (Lower to higher level of needs)
53
Source: http//wwy.sofiducks.com/maslow.Hierarchy
Self Development According to the psychologist Simons (1987) Abraham Maslow theory of
personality called the hierarchic theory of needs has set up a hierarchy of five
levels of basic needs. Beyond these needs, higher levels of needs exist. These
include needs for understanding, esthetic appreciation and purely spiritual needs.
In the levels of the five basic needs, the person does not feel the second need
until the demands of the first have been satisfied, nor the third until the second has
been satisfied, and so on. Maslow's basic needs are as follows:

Physiological Needs

These are biological needs. They donsist of needs for oxygen, food, water, and
a relatively constant body temperature. They are the strongest needs because if
a person were deprived of all needs, the physiological ones would come first in
the person's search for satisfaction.

Safety Needs

When all physiological needs are satisfied and are no longer controlling thoughts
and behaviors, the needs for security can become active. Adults have little
awareness of their security needs except in times of emergency or periods of
disorganization in the social stsudure (such as widespread rioting). Children o f h
display the signs of insecurity and the need to be safe.

Needs of Love, Affection and Belongingness

When the needs for safety and for physiological well-being are satisfied, the next
class of needs for love, affection and belongingness can emerge. Maslow states
that people seek to overcome feelings of loneliness and alienation. This involves
both giving and receiving love, affection and the sense of belonging.

Needs for Esteem

When the first three classes of needs are satisfied, the needs for esteem can
become dominant. These involve needs for both self-esteem and for the esteem
a person gets fiom others. Humans have a need for a stable, firmly based, high
level of self-respect, and respect fiom others. When these needs are satisfied,
the person feels self-confident and valuable as a person in the world. When these
needs are frustrated, the person feels inferior, weak, helpless and worthless.

Needs for Self-Actualization

When all of the foregoing needs are satisfied, then and only then are the needs
for self-actualizationactivated. Maslow describes self-actualization as a person's
need to be and do that which the person was "born to do."

4.7 YOGA AND RELIGION

Yoga is not specific to any religion. Knowledge or practice of yoga deepens
understanding of one's personal faith. It is concerned mainly with the ultimate
reality. Through Yoga, we can evolve beyond our current ego-centric state. Yoga
gives us fieedom to apply practices, suiting one's personal experience. Persons
belonging to any faith can use yogic exercises for physical fitness, balancing
nervous system and controlling the mind. Yoga transforms soul into super-soul.
4.7.1 Concept of Yoga Spiritual Development

Yogic values refer to the holistic and spiritual approach towards life and the
world. It is seriously being felt that the aim of education should also include the
liberation of mind and soul as well. The system of Yoga may offer this kind of
training and teaching.

Presently it is being seriously sensed that as the classical Indian tradition

established four Noble Aims (Purusarth) in human life i.e. Ethics (Dharma),
Earning (Artha), Enjoyment (Kama) and Emancipation (Moksha), which are
equally essential and signzficant,for sublime human existence in present time
too, the education system should also impart the teaching and training of
the moral (Dharma), socioeconomic (Artha), psychological (Kama) and
spiritual (Moksha) values to the students. In dzflerent words Acharya Enoba
Bhave (1997), the spiritual heir of Mahatma Gandhi suggested the same,
that 'education in India is to be based on three principles: Yoga (spiritual
training;), U 4 o g a (vocational training;)and Sahayoga (social training;).

The word 'Yoga' means union with the Supreme power or God and it is 'Him'
with whom we merge with at the end of our lives. Thousands of years ago, the
Vedic people had started physical practice for controlling the mind, body and
soul. This physical practice is known as yoga. Yoga is the ancient art, science
and philosophy of maintaining a balance between these three most important
elements of a human being by synchronizing them in a single chord. Yoga has
various forms such as Raja Yoga, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Kriya yoga or
Kundalini yoga which aim to connect the 'Atma' with the 'Paramatma' or the
human soul with the Supreme soul. It helps to merge the individual identity with
the universal identity by creating a union. The definition of yoga is given in
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra (1,2), which is supposed to be the most important text of
yoga philosophy. Patanjali systemized the scattered knowledge into holistic yoga
practices. He divided Yoga System into eight-fold (physical to meditative) practices.
It is known as "Ashtaang Yoga". Patanjali defines yoga as a state in which there
is complete elimination of the thoughts and modifications of the mind. Patanjali
states further that thaeare eight parts of this yoga, which when maskred i n d i v i u y
and collectively, ultimately make that state come into being.

4.7.2 Benefits of Yoga

Myriad physical and mental benefits of yoga are a boon to the mankind

The ancient form of Yoga system was not aimed at management of disorders;
nevertheless the aspects of health were covered in the foundation texts of Yoga
(Shvetashwatara Upanisada,2/12; BhagavatgitaI6/17,23;Yoga-SuWl I3 l,32&21
2). It seems that in the Eight-limbic system of Yoga, Patanjali recommended the
observance of Yama and Niyama, for the Aanagement of conscious emotional
conflicts, whereas, and for the management of subconscious emotional conflicts
he recommended Asana and Pranayama.

Yoga is an effective instrument of modification of human behavior. Yoga more

closely resembles the methods of psychotherapy rather than a religion or a
philosophy (Fritjof Capra, The Turning point, 1981). Selected routine of yogic
exercises can certainly lead to a happy and successful healthy life.
Self Devehpment Yoga renders self-education. The present education system conveys no training
to develop an acquaintance with the abstract internal world of our Self. There
is essentially a need to learn to understand the subtle realities concerned with the
inert aspects of self-existence.Yoga rmpartsprogressive training for the development
of self-awareness and educate about the realities of our being and becoming.

The paramount aim of Yoga system is the pursuits of the transcendental state of
psyche i.e. Samadhi which is a state of consciousness that begets energy,
awareness and delight to the experiencing being for hidher creative thoughts and
actions. Samadhi (transcendental state) further leads to wisdom.

Yoga involves silent communication with the environment, either with intemal
physiology or with external ecology, and this causes a new dimension for expansion
of consciousness. Thus the path of Yoga is a test as well as the training of will
power. Will power is a quality that plays its major role in every creative
performance and success.

Stress can be controlled by recommended Yogic techniques (Udupa, 1978). The

Yoga along-with recommended Yogic diet, reduces tension.

The practice of Pratyahara controlling the activities of senses, at both internal

and external levels, manages the stresses of personal life and brings composure.
The meditation on respiration, as in Vipasana of Bauddha system, was found to
mod@ the state of mind. Yoga is a system of self-healing. Meditation stabilizing
the M o n i n g of autonomic nervous system causes remarkable reductionin anxiety
and hypertension. The Yogic refinement in psychological attitude (Yima and Niyama
of yoga) can reduce tension, improve health and resolve psychological conflicts.
Both the internal and external environmentscan be balanced by such Yogic practice
(Tripathi & Singh, 1984).

4.8 MEDITATION
I
h&ditation or 'Dhyana ' was a part of ancient yoga practice. Meditation is the
way of connecttag to the God by developing a deeper level of consciousness.
Through meditation an individual can communicate with the Almighty on the intra-
p n a l level.

Meditation is journey of the mind or intellect from outer surface to the inner
depths. In meditation we experience a refreshing and helping power of the
universal spirit and we experience peace. All the time, mind acts in two ways:-

(i) As an open basket mind hops f?om one thought or activity to another. Five
senses convey infarmation in the mind-basket. Likes and dislikes of sense-
organs are trained and controlled. Disciplining the mind can bring peace
through meditation.

(Q Mind collects information and converts it into knowledge. It transfers

experiences f?om awareness to different levels of consciousness. Meditation
tilts thoughts from conscious to subconscious and to the unconscious.
Meditaticm helps one to attain intuitive or mystical levels of directly received
knowledge. This mystical level is one of oneness with the Supreme
Consciousness.
4.8.1 Five Features of Meditation Spiritual Development

(1) Slngle Thought

(2) Effortlessness and relaxation

(3) Slowness

(4) Wakefulness and awareness of present moment

(5) Feeling the expanded lightness (to get enlightened)

Check Your Progress 2

1. What is Indian concept of Ishvara?
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2. What are the benefits of yoga?
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3. Name Maslow's hierarchy of Needs?
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4. What are the features of Meditation?
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4.9 SPIRITUAL INTEGRATION

Spiritual integration refers to a life that is full, open, loving and generous. It is not
about attachment to dogmas, but about openness that redefines our experience
of what it means to be alive and to be a human being. It allows for an evolving
sense of union with life and with each other that is an antidote to the rigidities,
greed, hatreds, and prejudices that destroy our world. Spiritual integration combines
a deliberate cultivation of positive and life-nourishing impulses of thought and
Self Development behavior that transcends our habits and actions with a higher understanding and
love. Thus silence and meditation help the human spirit to integrate with the
Universal Spirit and crate Harmony within. The integrated human personality
harmonizes the inner and outer self.

4.10 LET US SUM UP

Spiritual Development is the highest conscious part of self-development. A well-
balanced personality is a combination of body, mind and spirit. Such a person
must have vision (of ambition) and mission (of purpose) in life. It is a progressive
process of mergers and unity. Senses merge into mind Emotions of mind merge
into intellect. Intellect merges into human consciousness of the soul. Soul (Spirit)
merges into the Supreme Consciousness. Our feelings, thoughts and personality
are rooted in our spiritual energy. Spirituality discovers inner self whereas Science
discovers outer self. Our mind absorbs information fiom senses and transforms
it into knowledge. Mindsets lead us to perform or prevent action. Happiness is
created by our positive or negative thoughts. Ancient Indian thought stresses
harmony between inner and outer self Meditation is a part of Yoga and provides
a loving union between human and universal consciousness. Silent meditation
purifies our mind, thoughts and feelings. A spiritual person loves all and develops
peace within and around.

4.11 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Answers to Check Your Progress 1
1. It is the cause and effect relationship. They must go hand in hand for the
holistic development of human personality.
2. Spirituality is that aspect which relates to or affects the human spirit or soul
as opposed to material or physical things.
3. Spiritual development gives substance to our religious life .Without spirituality;
religion simply becomes a set of doctrines and practices that can never
enrich life.
4. Happiness is the art of enjoying life's situations. Thoughts and mental
conditioning create happiness.
Answers to Check Your Progress 2
1. The concept of Ishvara is the very core of Indian Philosophy. Ishvara in
Sanskritmeans, the Lord. In M a n philosophy therefore Ishvara is considered
as the ultimate Ruler, the supreme power and is indeed the preternatural
being of the Cosmos.
2. Yoga cures number of ailing diseases, regular practice of yoga promises a
stress free life and it also upholds the spiritual sense within human beings.
3. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is Physiological Needs, Security Needs, Social
Needs Esteem Needs and Self-Actualization Needs.
4. The five features of Meditation are:
Slngle Thought
 Effortlessness & Relaxation Spiritual Development

Slowness
Wakefulness and awareness of the present moment
Feeling the expanded lightness (to get enlightened)

4.12 REFERENCES
Dowling, Elizabeth M. & Scarlett W. George (2006). Encyclopedia of religious
and Spirtiual Development, Sage Publications.
Foster, Richard J (1998.). Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual
Growth, Harper, Sanfrancisco.
Fritjof Capra, (1981). 'The Turning Point' Flamingo, An Imprint of Harper Collins
Publisher, London.
Leathers Helen & Campkin Diane (2009). The Spiritual & Psychic Development
Workbook-A Beginner j. Guide, STM, Publications, U.K.
Safaya R.N, ShuMa Dr.C.S. Bhatia B.D (1972). Modern Educational Psychology
Dhanpat Rai Publishing Company (p) Ltd.Delhi.
Simons Janet A & Irwin Donald B. and Beverly A. Drinnien (1987). The Search
for Understanding, West Publishing Company, New York
Tripathi K.M.& Singh R.H. (2003). 'Role of Yoga in the Management of Anxiety
and Depression', "The Yoga Review", Vol. IX, No.1 & 2, p. 23-38.
Enrolment No.
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