The Spiritual Value of Conflict
The Spiritual Value of Conflict
by Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda
CONFLICTS ABOUND everywhere in human life. There are conflicts between various religions, each asserting that their system is the only way to God, and criticizing all others. There are conflicts between various philosophers and philosophical views, each upholding his own system as the best, and criticizing others. There are conflicts in human relationships within the family and in society. There is a conflict when you expect to have sunshine, but God arranges to have dark clouds in the sky. Conflicts, therefore, arise at every step of life, everywhere you turn.
Often an aspirant develops the idea that if life were without conflict, things would be wonderful – an idea that, in itself, creates a conflict in the mind. Deluded by that faulty understanding, many aspirants go on looking for a perfect situation where conflicts do not exist. Some even look for that type of setup in some remote place high in the Himalayas, becoming ascetics, fasting, or observing mauna or silence for a long time.
But if you were to objectively reflect upon the value of conflict, you would realize that there would be no spiritual progress if there were no conflict. Conditions of conflict provide resistance, and resistance is needed for a strong movement. If a person were given all favorable conditions in life, he would become like a jellyfish, having no muscles, no strength, and a cramped spiritual movement.
Whenever you are criticized or subjected to physical miseries, you must not despair. You should not think that these conflicting situation have nothing but negative value for you and that you would have been much better off without them. More often than not, difficult conditions prove to be blessings in disguise.
Reflect upon the examples of great men who have handled conflict with great glory and nobility. Jesus was not only criticized but crucified, and yet he accepted all this with a spirit of resignation to the Divine Will. Socrates was given poison, and he accepted it with a poised mind. These are just two examples among many of how great men continue to tread the path of righteousness unaffected by conditions of conflict.
It is important to understand that you cannot live your life without conflicts. Nature will not allow anyone to rest in the world of time and space. Conflicts are the “Hounds of Heaven” that will follow the heels of your soul until you attain the state of Liberation, wherein the world of time and space is transcended. Behind what appears as a conflicting or agitating situation, behind what appears as tumultuous and confusing, there is a Divine Plan to promote peace and harmony.
An aspirant, however, should not himself strive to create situations of conflict. When you see people in harmony, do not just walk up to them and start disturbing them. But when conflicting conditions arise by themselves, an aspirant must be able to remain unaffected. He should learn to just wait and watch. And in spite of those conditions, he must continue his spiritual effort. Sometimes it may seem that he cannot do as much sadhana or spiritual practice as he would have if there were no disturbing conditions, but the fact is that whatever little sadhana he does in the midst of conflict has a greater value than sadhana performed at other times.
For example, when you are building a shelf and you have to hammer a nail into a certain area, it is not how much strength you use that counts, but where you hammer. And if you hammer in the right place, then just a little hammering is enough to do the job. In the same manner, it is not how much sadhana you practice that is important – how many hours you meditate, how long you practice japa – but the intensity, sincerity and quality with which you practice it. So even in adverse situations, whatever sadhana you are able to do has great value.
On the other hand, if you do not know the art of handling conflict, you will develop an escapist philosophy, and the moment there is a situation that your ego does not like, you will run away from it, promoting a weak personality. No matter where you run, however, there will always be something waiting to create new conflicts, and, in the course of time, situations of frustration will develop again.
Therefore, aspirants must learn the art of adapting and adjusting, and of not becoming frustrated by conflict. Rather, they must understand that no matter where they go, God will present challenging situations to help them evolve. Such situations are designed to cultivate willpower, to test faith and to bring out what is good within.
An aspirant’s movement is much like winnowing grain. When farmers separate the husk from the grain, they pour the grain from one container into another. As the wind passes through the grain, the husk is blown away, leaving the grain pure. Similarly, if you are pursuing the spiritual path with faith and patience, all the husks of sickness, weakness and unwanted things in your life will be blown away by the wind of conflict, while all that is of value and importance will settle down within your heart.
In society, when there are clashes between different ideologies, political systems and ethnic groups, people seem to live a life of turmoil. But notice how all these conflicting situations pass on and things of greater value eventually dominate the minds of people. Therefore, there is a purpose behind conflicting situations in the world, in your life, and in all your relationships. Out of conflicting thoughts and beliefs, there eventually emerges an environment that is conducive to harmony and peace.
As you develop insight into the philosophy of conflict, you understand that conflicting situations are giving you a test – a test of your faith, of your understanding – and are providing a better opportunity for your spiritual evolution. With this insight you begin to smile at conflicts and develop a mind that is not upset by them. Then the idea that somewhere and someday you will find the most ideal situation will fade away from your mind. You will realize that here and now you have the most ideal circumstances and conditions for your growth.
Once your mind develops this understanding, you have gained a firm foothold on the path of spirituality. Your movement will then be steady and definite. You are bound to succeed. But as long as there is a sense of dissatisfaction with the way things are, or the idea that somewhere else in the distant future you will find a better situation, you will not be able to take advantage of all that is given to you by Nature. Therefore, try to reflect upon the value of conflict and develop a mind that confronts conflict with spiritual vision and a smile.
“International Yoga Guide” Vol. 56, N0. 9, May 2019
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