What is the most desirable feature of man? Previous studies have suggested that physical attractiveness, intelligence and wealth are the most desirable traits in man. However, a new study to be published in the November issue of the “British Journal of Psychology” suggests that a person’s altruistic tendencies are the most desirable trait in humans. Lead researcher Tim Phillips, from the Behavioral and Ecology Research Group at the University of Nottingham in England, said:
“Evolutionary theory predicts competition between individuals and yet we see many examples in nature of individuals putting themselves at a disadvantage to help others … In humans, in particular, we see individuals prepared to take considerable risks to help others. individuals who do not know for any reason. obvious reward. “
This should come as no surprise, as we always knew that humanity always values altruism. People who lay down their lives for their country, humanity or for a just cause without any selfish interest are often worshiped as God by man. Buddha, Jesus and Gandhi are some examples of such personalities.
However, this open secret of man has always been misused by intelligent and unscrupulous people. All political leaders promise their citizens their desire for selfless service, as they know they get votes. There has never been a shortage of selfish people who have deceived humanity under the cloak of altruism.
Because of this, it is often difficult to identify a disinterested person.
Are we disinterested?
While the theory of evolution predicts that every man is a competitor to others and fights with others in the battle for survival, it is surprising to find people who even lay down their lives for others.
Why do some people give their lives for others?
We can all affirm that we are disinterested. After all, we consume only part of what we earn. The father of a typical family spends most of his salary on his children and his wife and enjoys only a small part of what he earns. The mother also devotes almost all of her time and energy to raising her children without any return. Yet hardly anyone views such acts as disinterested.
Doing good for the family is quite normal in human beings and even in animals. The reason is that it is not an act of altruism if we serve ourselves. In a civil society, the family is considered to be the extension of the self, since man cannot survive alone on the planet. The family provides love and support to each individual in the family, therefore the man is paid what he gives to his family. In addition, each person receives that love, affection and support from their own parents; therefore, you have to give what you received. Love for the child is extremely natural for parents; therefore, doing something for them is not considered altruism, since children also give back to their parents what they received during their childhood.
Why then do people help an unknown person knowing full well that they can get nothing in return?
Spiritism: the root of selfishness
The answer to this question is that everyone is spiritual by nature. In Indian philosophy, the soul of the person is called “Atman”, while God is called “Paramatman” (Universal Soul). Therefore, a part of God resides in every man. Also in Christianity it is considered that the Holy Spirit is present in all beings as another form of God.
However, most people do not realize this and see themselves as different from others. These people cannot do anything for others, as they feel that such action is wasteful, as they get nothing in return.
However, a person who sees God in everyone or sees everyone as an extension of self, actually helps himself by helping others. No one expects anything in return when serving himself.
Thus, the root of disinterest is the awakening of spirituality in the man or woman that allows the person to do selfless work. We all want to identify that person who can be trusted for guidance and help. We too want to become such people so that we can earn people’s love and trust.
However, it is not easy to identify the spiritual person as many material people disguise themselves in the clothing of the spiritual man.
One can easily identify a spiritual person if he has the following nine characteristics in his personality.
NINE IDENTIFICATIONS OF A SPIRITUAL PERSON
1. Synergy between words and actions
The actions of a spiritual person are always in harmony with his words. Speak only what you really believe. If one only looks at the lives of most people who call themselves spiritual, one can immediately tell the difference between their words and their actions. While they may be preaching equality, they treat themselves as superior to others. While they may ask people to lead a simple life, they themselves live in good houses and wear expensive fabrics and ornaments. A spiritual person does not say anything that is not practical. Demonstrate the practicality of his principles by following the words spoken by him.
2. Self-realization
A distinction must be made between scholar and spiritual person. Anyone with a good memory can remember every word of a script and try anything with the force of logic. A scholar always supports his argument with some reference from other studies or scriptures. However, a spiritual person is a self-realized person whose knowledge has arisen from within. Therefore, instead of “having knowledge” he has “become knowledge”, since his person has become one with the Spirit. Thus, his explanation emerges directly from his soul and convinces the person instead of asking people to be convinced because someone has said it, or something is written in a scripture or some study has shown something.
3. Peace
A spiritual person is one whose soul has become one with God or the Spirit. Therefore, you can see the world from a much broader perspective. His mind is as peaceful as the water in the deep sea. He knows that everything that happens in the world has some logic. You can know cause and effect through your intuition. That is why he is always at peace and is not disturbed by worldly things in the world that are like waves on the surface of a sea.
4. Disregard for physical appearance
Spirituality is complementary to materialism just as the spirit is complementary to the body. He who focuses on the body cannot focus on the spirit. Therefore, a spiritual person is indifferent to the physical appearance of himself and others. It does not identify the person by their outer covering, but by their soul. Appearance is irrelevant to him. Therefore, if a person wears designer clothes and focuses on being physically attractive, they are less likely to be spiritual. It is no wonder that most spiritual people retain a beard that actually covers the physical attractiveness of the body.
5. Unconditional love
Love is the most important character of a spiritual person. He does not hate anyone, including the criminal and the terrorist. It may seem strange and impossible to the common man, but not to the spiritual person. Just as we all like everything about us, including our not so perfect body, in the same way for a spiritual person there is no “other” so he identifies even with his enemies.
6. Equality and justice
God has created everyone equal although he has given everyone a different role. However, man attributes material value to man on the basis of supply and demand. For example, the president of a nation is much more highly valued than the ordinary street sweeper because there is only one president position and a large number of candidates. Meanwhile, there are many street sweepers with some applicants. However, it cannot be denied that both are necessary for the nation. A spiritual person, therefore, never distinguishes people based on their religion, caste, economic situation or position in society, since he can see everyone with the same eye. In Gita, Lord Krishna says:
A wise man, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with the same vision a learned and kind Brahman (scholar), a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater (outcast).
7. devoid of passion
A spiritual person is never in a hurry because he has no lust or passion for anything. A passionate man always has to do something, which is why he feels restless all the time. However, a spiritual person knows his role in the scheme of things and does what is best for the world. He is a yogi who has total control over his body, his senses, and his mind. Gita says,
Whoever sees inaction in action and action in inaction is enlightened among men. He is a yogi, he has done everything necessary.
8. Humility
A spiritual person is always humble when he sees God in each person or considers everyone as the extension of the self. He knows that he is simply a tool in the hands of God and has been sent to this world to perform a particular function. There can never be an element of pride in him.
Can a machine be proud of its function?
Shouldn’t the credit for the performance of the machine’s operation go to its designer? Why should a man be proud of his achievements?
Jesus himself demonstrates the need for humility when he washed his disciple’s feet. The Bible narrates the incident as follows
He (Jesus) got up from supper and took off his garments; and he took a towel and girded himself. After that, he poured water into a container and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John, 13: 4-5)
9. Compassion and forgiveness
A spiritual man is the most forgiving, since he knows that all will be judged by God according to their works. He never put himself in God’s place and judges a person by his own standards. Therefore, even if someone has wronged him or someone else, he always seeks God’s forgiveness for him. Therefore, instead of hating a person whose action is not in accordance with your wish or according to the scriptures, show compassion for everyone.
Jesus himself demonstrated the act of forgiveness when, despite being crucified by the Jews, he sought God’s forgiveness for himself. The prayer
“Forgive them, father, they don’t realize what they’re doing.”
Spirituality is for everyone
Man is born spiritual. Jesus in his first teaching said:
“It is written:” Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God. ”
Man suffers pain when he ignores the need for spiritual awakening in him and tries to live only on bread like any other animal. Everyone can hear God’s words if they awaken their spiritual self. Therefore, a less spiritual person must identify and learn the words of God from people who have evolved higher on their spiritual journey. The Nine Identifications discussed in this article can help a person identify the truly spiritual person and embark on the journey to God or Spirit. Developing these nine characters in oneself can make a person spiritual and selfless.