A flower grows in the wild, among many others, competing for survival in nature. It might not stand out visibly, attracting attention with distinct bright, big, colorful petals like some other flowers around it. Its essence however is so appealing and fragrant that even if it is slight and faint, one who passes by and gets a whiff is attracted to it. They want to see which is the flower that gives off such a pleasant smell that pervades the space around it and is distinct over other odours surrounding it. Once found, they want to experience more and more of it. They will likely want to take it home, plant it in their garden so that they can smell it more often. Others who visit their home also fall under this flower's spell and they want some seeds or saplings themselves to take to their own homes. It becomes popular entirely due to its irresistible fragrance.
Some set out to get it from the wild, they go tramping around the forest, trampling on countless plants, insects and animals, clearing anything in their path. Nurseries start to cultivate it, some develop plantations of it and it becomes a commercial enterprise, millions are addicted to its fragrance and want a part of it in their own lives... Often a brand name develops around this particular flower and it becomes very pervasive in our lives. It starts to become advertised.
Now, this is not just the story of a wild flower, but also of a human soul that lives a truly spiritually aware and fulfilling life. The person with this soul may not advertise themselves, may not say a word about their 'brand' of spirituality, but will influence and attract people almost inexplicably.
I believe it is the true measure and truest sign of real spirituality in a person - how they attract people around them by how they interact with others in their lives, without a visible advertising sign or an indication of a particular franchaise brand name of religion or philosophy. The truest essence of spirituality is what is practised, not what is read, spoken about or advertised.
It does not matter how one comes to the state - whether spontaneously on one's own, by experience of life, by association with others or other branded names. Each person has their own unique fragrance of their individual spirit that is perceptible to most around them. There are countless different fragrances and bad smells that can emanate from individuals, sometimes sporting the same brand advertisement.
It is best to appreciate true spirituality by following one's own nose!
Copyright (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2020
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