Why Spirituality?

Amma says, "The real purpose of life is to experience what is beyond this physical existence. However, each one looks at life differently. Most human beings see life as a constant
struggle for survival. Such people believe in the theory, "The
fittest will survive". They are satisfied with the normal way
of living- for example, getting a house, a job, a car, a wife, a
husband, children and enough money to live. Yes, these are important
things, and we need to focus on our day-to-day lives and to take
care of our responsibilities and obligations, small and big.

But there is more to life, a higher purpose, which is to know and realize who we are. By knowing who we are, we gain everything. A feeling of complete fullness, with absolutely
nothing else to gain in life. That realization makes life perfect.
Regardless of all we have accumulated or are striving to acquire,
for most people life still feels incomplete - like the letter "C".
This gap, or lack, will always be there. Only spiritual knowledge
and realization of Self can fill the gap and unite the two ends,
which will make it like the letter, "O". The knowledge
of "That" alone will help us feel well-grounded in the
real center of life.

Spirituality is not blind faith; it is the ideal that eliminates darkness. It is the principle that teaches us to face any adverse circumstance or obstacle with a smile. Spirituality is the teaching
for the mind."

Someone asked Amma, "Why should one follow the spiritual path?"

Amma replied, "This is like the seed asking, "Why should I go beneath the soil, sprout and grow upward?"

Excerpted from the book "From Amma's Heart"