The World Is Moved More by Spirituality than by Men

 

There is no doubt that what is abiding, universal and impersonal has a greater appeal to man than what is fleeting, limited and personal. Spirituality, being such, has more appeal to humanity than men do. This is true in all aspects of human existence as it is in the knowledge man has gained. However, great a man may be, he has his limitations. He is in no way superior to the ordinary human beings as far as defects and shortcomings are concerned. However, spirituality, the children of his heart, have universal appeal. Therefore, spirituality influences man more truly and deeply than personalities. 

On the other hand, there is no scope for any doubt that personalities appeal more to the common man than spirituality. The reason is that a man who is concrete is more palpable than spirituality, which is abstract. However, the likes and dislikes of a common person do not determine the standard of human conduct. A bit deeper insight into the matter will reveal that we worship personalities; we really pay respect to them because they embody some lofty ideas or ideals. 

In the field of science, men who put forth spirituality were often ridiculed. They were even stoned to death but spirituality triumphed in the end. Copernicus was insulted and Galileo was tortured to death but their ideas like the torchbearers have been guiding the destiny of humanity through centuries. 

In addition, greatness of a literature or a religion is determined not by the number of men writing it but by the amount of ideas, truths or spiritual words contained in it. Literary writers like Shakespeare, Tolstoy and Tagore have left an indelible imprint on the mind of humanity not because of their impressive personalities but because of the ideas and spiritualism contained in their books. On the other hand, a Sadhu in saffron robes cannot become a prophet. He can become Lord Buddha only if he has great ideas to convey to millions. 

All these examples support the conviction that ideas or spirituality is greater than men are. Without ideas or spirituality, men are philistines (uncultured, commonplace people). In fact, he is the true benefactor of humanity who gives ideas to the world and enlightens the world with spirituality. The greatest contribution of the greatest men to the material welfare of the world will be short-lived only. The ideas and spirituality imbibed from the great men transform the very brain, mind, and soul of man. As a result, humanity must become better and nobler.