(Response to 2.H.1 Mundaka, Upanishad (1.2.11-13), presented by Anantanand Rambachan)
There is danger plunging straight into the spiritual life! The first question: am I ‘running away’ from a commitment or obligation or difficulty or someone? The desire for change can be aroused by the wish to escape; the negative feelings of the present moment are more than balanced by the sense that in spirituality the negative will be replaced by the positive. To be secure in spirituality, the negative feelings need to be faced before entry into spirituality can fulfil expectations. The danger of entering the spiritual life for inappropriate reasons is that it may lead either to disappointment because it does not meet expectation or to the false security of a narrow-minded fundamentalism. Another danger is that the spiritual life can be promoted with unrealistic promises and little support for the process of change it involves; people can feel betrayed.
Spirituality exists to provide for a need that human beings discover; a fulfilment beyond their present material and natural life. It takes belief to a new level of understanding, opening up a vision of ‘reality’, either promised through revelation, or discovered in silence, a reality which could be described as closer unity with the divine. This is not just a passing intuition or spiritual experience it is a deeper recognition of dependence and opportunity. There is no compulsion in spirituality, only invitation.
Recognised world religions will give clear descriptions of their requirements, starting from the moment of entry, including changes in lifestyle and support from experienced guides. Often it leads into a community of like-minded people, who share the same desire, are happy with the structures of that spirituality, and able to support each other in the process. The mechanics of such a community will vary, some will be close knit living in a dedicated house, others will meet occasionally, say once per week. Modern techniques of communication make it easier for people to speak with each other at distance. A typical spirituality will affirm the current life by proposing ways to develop it. There are likely to be books to read, scriptures to meditate, silence to achieve, techniques to master and teachings to learn. Support from an expert at hand will make the process of entry as easy as possible.
With these comments in mind the quotation from the Upanishad may make more sense to readers who are not Hindu. Its demands are considerable ‘to live on alms’, ‘live in the forest’, and then come to learn the meaning of ‘detachment’. Having achieved a ‘calm and controlled mind’ the student is able to absorb the ‘imperishable truth’, become immersed in that spirituality.
