<div align="justify">Spirituality is often equated with ‘other-worldliness,’ implying that it has little to do with everyday living. It is looked upon as the pursuit of an individual who is in the sunset of his life. This is an erroneous notion because spirituality lies at the heart of every meaningful human interaction. It is the well-spring of all finer qualities, none of them limited by considerations of time, age or place.<br /><br />Most people regard the spiritual way of living as going to places of prayer and chanting hymns, thus placing it in a separate category. But spiritual practice and everyday behaviour are not mutually exclusive. While praying is optional, how respectful, kind and honest you are with others is what really counts. To put it simply, the experience of the sacred arises from the manner in which we treat others. Indeed, they have been described as, “Our teachers who provide us with opportunities to practice spirituality.”<br /><br />Each day brings opportunities to express our spirituality. It is to treat others with kindness and respect, whether young or old; to be patient and reprimand with care; to appreciate and thank others for their service. It is integrity in all that we do and say. Nothing so brings to life our spirituality as our everyday actions.<br /><br />This brings me to a story narrated by Professor Henry Reiling of the Harvard Business School. He tells of a student who achieved the honour of becoming a Baker Scholar. The title carries great prestige and opens many doors. After he was notified, this student studied his grades and found that they fell short of qualifying him. No changes would have been made had he not confessed. However, he called the registrar and pointed out the oversight. There was time enough for redress and he lost the chance of becoming a Baker Scholar. On Awards Night, the Dean told the story to the assembled guests. No sooner did he finish than they were on their feet applauding and cheering loudly. This student could not add the Baker title to his resume, but his name went down in the annals as a byword for integrity and fair-mindedness.<br /><br />Far from being other-worldly, spirituality is of this world. It consists of everyday actions done with unquestionable and loving intent.</div>
<div align="justify">Spirituality is often equated with ‘other-worldliness,’ implying that it has little to do with everyday living. It is looked upon as the pursuit of an individual who is in the sunset of his life. This is an erroneous notion because spirituality lies at the heart of every meaningful human interaction. It is the well-spring of all finer qualities, none of them limited by considerations of time, age or place.<br /><br />Most people regard the spiritual way of living as going to places of prayer and chanting hymns, thus placing it in a separate category. But spiritual practice and everyday behaviour are not mutually exclusive. While praying is optional, how respectful, kind and honest you are with others is what really counts. To put it simply, the experience of the sacred arises from the manner in which we treat others. Indeed, they have been described as, “Our teachers who provide us with opportunities to practice spirituality.”<br /><br />Each day brings opportunities to express our spirituality. It is to treat others with kindness and respect, whether young or old; to be patient and reprimand with care; to appreciate and thank others for their service. It is integrity in all that we do and say. Nothing so brings to life our spirituality as our everyday actions.<br /><br />This brings me to a story narrated by Professor Henry Reiling of the Harvard Business School. He tells of a student who achieved the honour of becoming a Baker Scholar. The title carries great prestige and opens many doors. After he was notified, this student studied his grades and found that they fell short of qualifying him. No changes would have been made had he not confessed. However, he called the registrar and pointed out the oversight. There was time enough for redress and he lost the chance of becoming a Baker Scholar. On Awards Night, the Dean told the story to the assembled guests. No sooner did he finish than they were on their feet applauding and cheering loudly. This student could not add the Baker title to his resume, but his name went down in the annals as a byword for integrity and fair-mindedness.<br /><br />Far from being other-worldly, spirituality is of this world. It consists of everyday actions done with unquestionable and loving intent.</div>
