Spirituality

Interesting post..

I do not know about how Steve Jobs was.. so not really qualified about writing on the way he behaved.

Originally posted by: sshirley

Interesting post..

Even I have heard/read about Steve Jobs' life.. the same thing confuses me too..

Because I have been in the US for sometime, maybe..i mean its quite possible that 'spirituality' as a concept is understood differently by Americans..

I may be wrong but its quite possible since their understanding on values/principles/character is v different being a cold culture probably.

In my opinion, spirituality in America does have a different meaning all together as mentioned above. Spirituality should definitely work to make a person a better human but it's also important to remember that all humans have some degree of bad qualities whether that may be jealousy, greed, anger, etc. it's possible that even though Steve believed in "spirituality" he still hadn't fought the battle with the interior enemies (bad qualities). Now let's say we were to bring God into this situation, which is not necessary but I'm just saying. If we believe that the same God that created me also created you, then I slowly begin to develop respect for others. If I believe that God resides in all individuals, then I'm fighting my inner enemies. I begin to treat others with respect. But back to spirituality, it should be a practice, not just an abstract idea that one believes in. It should make you calm, respectful, understanding and compassionate. However, If it's not implemented into a person's everyday life, then they will remain like they are. Steve Jobs was enlightened because he had the idea of spirituality in his life but maybe the practice of spirituality is all together a different matter. Just my thoughts :)

May be. And that is what I want to know shouldn't spirituality be above there cultural differences?

Originally posted by: Justlikethat1

I do not know about how Steve Jobs was.. so not really qualified about writing on the way he behaved.

However, an enlightened soul in Hinduism transcends the normal emotions. They attain great control over their senses, having their thoughts concentrated on Brahman. To them everything else withers away and their mind only thinks of brahman.. always, transcending the Maya.

Also Being aloof is different from being cruel. One of the reasons that an enlightened soul remains aloof is because they realize that attachments lead only to more births and the continuation of the birth-death cycle by our actions and karma.

There is a story of king Bharatha (not Shantanu s son), who was an enlightened being. He renounces the world after crowning his son as king and goes to the story to concentrate on Brahman. At one point he feels sorry for a deer cub who he finds trembling with fear near his ashram. He takes care of it and at one point becomes so attached to it that his actions lead to him being born as a deer in his next birth. Fortunately, due to his enlightenment prior, he retains his memory of his previous birth and realizes what happened. In the next birth as a man, he pretends to be deaf, dumb and senile while always thinking of brahman. That is remaining aloof.

No one spiritually inclined would want to be cruel to another livin creature. Most of our scriptures talk of kindness, charity and goodwill to others. That is why even our daily rituals embibe these.. see how we imbibe watering plants, feeding ants, crows, less fortunate humans before having food ourselves. That is why temples have rituals to make Prasadam to be shared to all.

Spirituality teaches kindness but it also teaches us to be calm and composed when faced with extremes.

Originally posted by: Ankita.11

I am neither an enlightened soul nor have I read Job's biography or watched the film,so won't go much into depth...

But all I know about him is that he came to India when he was going through a low phase in his career and later suggested Zuckerberg as well.Both found success in their career after their visit.(correct me if i'm wrong)

The question is,'was he really an enlightened soul??'Whenever I think of a spiritually enlightened person,images of Buddha,Mahavira,Vivekananda come to my mind.Enlightment is the last phase...it's the state of bliss and that requires years and years of penance...

Maybe he was spiritually aware,he had the knowledge and that's why as you say he remained aloof,he practised the concept of detachment,he stayed in a smaller house,had great concentration leading to his phenomenal success.

You mentioned that he was cruel,I think it's relative...for someone he might be cruel to others he might not...

And you mentioned that emotional stability is the ingredient of spirituality..I be to differ from u,I feel it's the end result,the final product of spirituality.

@Sumedha I don't know much about Steve Jobs. Don't know even after being in IT industry for so long I never felt an inclination towards Apple. Believe me I was never attracted to it. And though I have read APJ's book, Subrato Bagchi's book on Professional, Jack Welsh book I have never tried to understand Steve jobs. Don't know why. But I am like this. Sometimes I am unable to connect to people whom other say are famous, knowledgable etc. It is not just about spirituality, it is about any knowledge for that matter.