Air Resistance and Holiness

When we walk on the road we do not experience any air resistance. But when we drive a Motor Cycle at 120 KMPH, the air blows very hard on us. Air is compressible when the speed is less. But it behaves more and more incompressible with increasing speed. As we come closer to the speed of sound, the air becomes like a concrete wall. It took many years for scientists and test pilots to break through the 'sound barrier'. It needed new kinds of aircraft designs - pointed nose, smaller size and with delta wings and jet engines. It is the air resistance that provides the 'lift' for the air craft to rise up in the air and fly. If there is no air resistance, the air craft cannot get off the ground or fly in the air. Air resistance is a necessary requirement for flight. But we need to design the aircraft specially in order to overcome the air resistance and penetrate through the sound barrier. Something similar also happens in our spiritual life. Evil in the world is necessary for goodness to shine forth. But the good people have to find ways and means to overcome the evil if they are to grow in goodness and holiness. To experience God, the source of all goodness and holiness, is considered to be the ultimate goal of human life on earth by most religions. Religions and their Scriptures provide ways and means of overcoming evil. They also provide spiritual exercises and methods for growing in goodness and holiness. Holiness comes not from the absence of evil, but from the ability to overcome evil. In that sense, the existence of evil in this world is very much necessary for the sanctification and divinisation of the human soul which is the purpose of human life. In other words, the purpose of human life cannot be achieved without the existence of evil in this world. Hence, we need not lament about the widespread evils in the world today. Instead, we need to discover ways and means of overcoming them. This is the challenge facing every generation in every era. We need to discover new techniques and methods that are effective to overcome the new kinds of evils in the modern world. This is where spiritual genius need to find its ever new creative expressions. Ritualistic and dogmatic religions have outlived their utility. Modern world with its new kinds of evils require deeper and stronger spiritual exercises to overcome them. Silent meditation, satvic (pure) food, regular exercise, and a positive mental attitude are the four 'basic life disciplines' necessary to gain the required spiritual strength to overcome the evils of this 21st century.