We are all aware of the evils of racism and become aware of, through the animal rights movement, the evils of speciesism (the belief that one species is superior to another). Prejudice, in whatever form, only causes suffering, and loss of benefit to society. But another prejudice—yet unrecognized—causes great havoc to society: prejudice against spirituality.

We have, in our educational system, departments of mathematics, philosophy, business, literature, physics, psychology, anthropology, etc., but not a department of spirituality. Why? Because, somehow we have adopted the false belief that spiritual and secular realities are separate. Apparently, there are people who believe Mother Teresa of Calcutta lives in the “fourth dimension” rather than here in the physical world.

I am talking about the extraordinary potential of human beings. Does it really matter if Mother Teresa is Catholic, Upasani Baba Maharaj a Hindu, Hazrat Babajan a Muslim or Mitch Snyder (an advocate for the homeless) is of no particular religion? Such people have transcended self and operate from a radically different state of consciousness.

Millions of people are homeless here in the richest country in the world. Greed is considered to be good, wealth a virtue, and someone like Donald Trump is actually admired. Child abuse is rampant. Neighborhoods are becoming more dangerous. Kids (as well as adults) can’t say no to drugs. Corporations are free to corrupt the environment. A huge portion of our tax dollar goes to the military. Organized crime (the “cream” of the wealth-eithic) flourishes. This cesspool of corruption we call society is endless in its weakness and selfishness. Isn’t it time our educators wake up and see that the most important aspect of education is the development of strength and wisdom?

Call it a department of spirituality or of Wisdom-Culture, but, for God’s sake, create such a department! We are not slaves. “It is a sin NOT to say, ‘I am God.'”—Swami Rama Tirtha.

Arthur Shimkus

Siddha Yoga Worker