Dr. Molly tells us about essential spirituality. On Friday (April 15) this year, there was a confluence of Good Friday, Vishu, and Ramadan. A Special Feature exclusively for Different Truths.

This month of April 2022 is unique when on the one Friday (15^th April) in the Holy month of Ramadan, it is Good Friday for Christians and the Day of Vishu(for Hindus in Kerala) … all auguring hope and promise through universal love, sacrifice and sharing.

What does it point at? No matter whatever our belief, religious faith, all roads lead to Rome.  Universal love, peace, togetherness. During Ramadan, by cutting short bits from your lavish spending, practicing minimalism, frugality you spare much for the needy and deserving ones…

By showing the example of self effacing love for humankind, making suffering turn into sacrifice and resurrecting into a new world of bliss and peace, the Friday turns into  Good Friday.

Vishu is the harbinger of all that is auspicious to start, a year of plenty and you wake up opening your eyes to the sight of the yellow blossoms (Vishu flowers of the season) decked with the bounty of nature, heaps rice, vegetables, fruits, what not, on a platter in front of you! One more thing. There is a small mirror placed in the midst. A reminder, you look at yourself, is it a “new you” with a heart brimming over with love of everyone, everything?

Yes, that’s what Existential Spirituality is all about. When your mind lies scattered in things, when it grows coextensive with the universe no matter which ever faith you are in, you are turning spiritual.  The streak of humanism permeates and with kind eyes you look at man, the animal, the flora and the fauna, the sky the stars, the rock the worm. Each has its place in the scheme of things. It shirks off the veil of familiarity, taken for granted over things and of course invests all with its own right to exist. Yes, let us bask ourselves in that glow of enlightenment. We can usher in a world without war, without greed, domination.

Let us all stand for it, foster it, Existential Spirituality.

Picture design by Anumita Roy, Different Truths

Dr. Molly Joseph

Dr. Molly Joseph is a professor, poet from Kerala, who writes travelogues, short stories and story books for children. She has published 14 books,12 books of poems, a novel and a story book for Children. Her poetry with its unique style, has been characterised as "Ribbon Poetry." She has won several accolades which include India Women Achiever’s Award 2020.Her latest book, Water Sings over the Stones, won the best Poetry Book of the Year Award from ALS. She believes in the power of the word.

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