SPIRITUALITY AND BUSINESS, IS THERE A CONNECTION !?

Interview between Tatjana Stanković PXD SYSTEM INTERNATIONAL's Board Director and Aleksandar Akrura Todorović WOLRD WIDE LIFE COACH and BUSINESS EDUCATOR

SPIRITUALITY, BUSINESS AND RELIGION 
IS THERE A CONNECTION !?

( part 2 )

For the past 10 years, Tatjana Stankovic is Member of Board of the Directors of PXD System International, company for distribution of products for health and education of people. She has been in the business for 15 years, with previous sales experience in few other companies. She is one of the best students in the history of Mechanical Engineering at the University of St. Cyril and Methodius, in Skopje, Macedonia.

http://www.pxds.com/

               Aleksandar Akrura Todorovic is a Spiritual Life Coach, success teacher, lecturer, and seminar leader. He also performs traditional and modern spiritual music.

http://gitacoaching.blogspot.com

Tatjana Stankovic: What is the difference in understanding of Spirituality and Religion? What is the difference between Spirituality and Religion?

Aleksandar Akrura Todorovic: It is a big question and I will give you a longer answer. Spirituality is described in sanskrit language as sanatana dharma.

Sanatana-dharma does not refer to any sectarian process of religion. It is the eternal function of the eternal living entities in relationship with the eternal Supreme Lord.

Sanatana-dharma refers to the eternal occupation of the living entity.

Great spiritual teacher  Ramanujacarya has explained the word sanatana as "that which has neither beginning nor end".

The English word religion is different from sanatana-dharma. Religion usually conveys the idea of faith, and faith may change. One may have faith in a particular process, and he may change his faith and adopt another, but sanatana-dharma refers to that activity which cannot be changed.

In the Bhagavad-gita it is stated that the living entity is never born and never dies. He is eternal and indestructible, and he continues to live after the destruction of his temporary material body.

The word dharma refers to that which is constantly existing with a particular object. For example, there is heat and light along with the fire; without heat and light, there is no meaning to the word fire. Similarly, we must discover the essential part of the living being, that part which is his constant companion. That constant companion is his eternal quality, and that eternal quality is his eternal religion, and that is spirituality, because it relates to the eternal spiritual nature of every living entity, or every soul.

Q: Does it mean that religious customs, when they are respected, will bring prosperity in the business?

A: They may or may not. God has given many instructions in the scriptures how to attain both material and spiritual prosperity. Prosperity in business depends on our karma, our effort and God's will. God is not obliged to give us results, even if we do all our rituals and prayers. He knows what is best for us. Many religions are based on "God give me" prayer. Spirituality is based on "God please take " prayer.   

Q: Is Spirituality pure Philosophy or it's practical?

A: It is both. Spirituality is our original nature so it is even more practical then material, so-called visible or tangible things. Philosophy is always practical but because people do not understand how to use it to improve their lives they say it is a mere theory or it is impractical.

Q: Is earning money in conflict with Spirituality?

A: No. You can earn unlimited money but it is important how you use it. Apart from using it to meet your various needs, use it also for higher purposes. There are mundane welfare activities that help short term and there are highest welfare activities that bring long term benefits and help not only body and mind but also the spirit soul. So you can use your money for a good cause. 

Q: Am I a bad person if I want to make money?

A: It depends why you want to make money and what will you do with it. Money is just energy, and as everything else, it can be used or misused.

Q: Can you explain the difference between Spirituality and Religion with some specific example?

A: Spirituality is an eternal inherent quality of the living being. For instance, liquidity cannot be taken from water, nor can heat be taken from fire. Similarly, the eternal function of the eternal living entity cannot be taken from the living entity. Spirituality or sanatana-dharma is eternally there with the living entity.

That which has neither end nor beginning must not be sectarian, for it cannot be limited by any boundaries. If we go deeply into the matter and consider it in the light of modern science, we can see that sanatana-dharma is the business of all the people of the world or all the living entities of the whole universe.

Some religious faith may have a beginning in the course of human history, but there is no beginning to the history of sanatana-dharma, because it remains eternally with the living entities.

Q: Is there a connection between Religious Customs and Religion in its root and how is all that connected with Spirituality?

A: Rituals in different religious may vary or may change over time but the essence is the same. That essence is spirituality. God has given various guidelines in various scriptures for various people, based on their conditioning. The root of all religions is spirituality.

Q: Can money make person Spiritual?

A: Yes, if you use it to make spiritual advancement. But your spiritual advancement does not depend on money. You can be spiritual even without money.

Q: If somebody makes money does that automaticly mean that he becomes Spiritual? People say, "I made money, that means I'm good and because I'm good God gave me money. First God gives me because I am good, and then I think I am God".

A: Making money has to do with your karma, God's will and your skills. Spiritual person does not take credit for his achievements but thanks God and other people for helping him. God is not obliged to give you results even if you are good and pious. More important is to become transcendental, beyond piety and impiety of this world.  

Q: Could you tell us a story from Bhagavad-gita or Srimad Bhagavatam as an example of someone who is making money and thinks he can do everything? And what is the result of that?

A: There are examples of Brahma and Indra becoming proud of their powers and opulences in the Tenth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. The result was that Krsna (God) taught them a lesson and they became more humble. If we don't learn by hearing, we have to learn the hard way - by making mistakes. 

Q: Do people need to practice Spirituality everyday?

A: Oh yes. Because it is a part of our eternal nature. We have spiritual needs and bringing spirituality into our lives every day brings goodness and auspiciousness to our lives and the lives of those around us.

Q: Could you give an example of daily activities of a person who practices Spirituality?

A: Usually he would meditate and read and reflect. He may also write. He takes time to think deeply and connect with his spiritual nature and what is best in him and connect to the Source. I practice mantra meditation and it is very effective. Spiritual sound makes your life sublime and  makes you more intelligent in many ways. 

Q: Can we say that Spirituality could be named as way of successful living for changing our lives?

A: Yes. Exactly.

Q: One more question if you don't mind: In the name of Religion these days world leaders justify their actions like making wars, changing laws, killing people. What is the connection of all this with Religion and Spirituality?

A: You can use anything as an excuse to harm people. Misunderstanding of religion and spirituality leads to misusing relgion for your own selfish purposes. Global economy, migration and mixing of cultures makes people understand that human condition and challenges are similar everywhere and that we all belong to a global family. Therefore we must help each other succeed by using the wisdom of the saints and sages throughout the ages to help us succeed. We must focus on the essence, not on the externals. Than the real unity will be possible, and the purpose of real spirituality and religion will be fulfilled.