Follow One Religion But Respect All

It is very difficult to describe religion in few lines as no definition can contain all the attributes of all the religions, hence it will remain incomplete. But for the sake of understanding it can be said that religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values, defined by Wikipedia.Etymologically, the term religion is derived from Latin word religio which means "respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods or “obligation, the bond between man and the gods”

In our world there are numerous religions but the five major religions, based on following population are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Chinese folk religion and Buddhism. Every religion is built on the edifice of a thought, the thought of its founder. It is quite interesting to notice that though outer form i.e. the customs and traditions associate with every religion is different but the core of all the religions are same. Many philosophers, who have studied multiple religion in depth felt that the only difference between the core essence of most of the  religions is that of the language.

As a matter of fact, every individual on earth is bound to follow some or the other religion in one way or the other. Reasons to follow might be different but all of them hint towards the basic one which is belief in a supreme power-the "almighty". In other words, people have faith in what we term as magical power. But that very magic begins ones we start believing in it.

Our faith in a belief is always attached to experiences. Initially I had this very idea that there's nothing like supreme power and used to always disconnect any religious idea from my life. But on insistence by one of my friends I attended Nirmal Baba's samagam and was deeply touched on seeing the way he helps out his devotees. Not just this, I also got greatly convinced by his thoughts. I am a completely changed person now and have started believing in the religious practices.

Ram may not visit mosque or Rehman may not visit temple. However, Ram is a regular temple goer.Now this might be because of sincere and honest dedication to one religion, or may be because of disrespect to other religion. The very idea propagated by Nirmal Baba is, to have faith in one religion, at the same time not look down on the rest. He says everyone should be religious, follow his religious practices, visit the holy places regularly. But what he asks people to refrain from is showing disrespect to others religious beliefs.

Being religious makes one feel connected with god. It purifies heart and gives immense peace.While preaching the idea of following single religion he also asks people to keep away from superstitious practices. He also says that, disrespect to some other religion also deprives the devotees from almighty's blessings, as there is only one supreme power. Being religious and sincerely following the religious practices attached to it has helped me calm down as a person and I feel blessed to have someone like him in my life.

NIRMAL BABA: FROM THE EYES OF DEVOTEES

Being myself a devotee of the great man. I thought of writing about some good experiences I had with him and also of some others whom I am acquainted with. This is just my small effort for the man who is being ruthlessly tormented by the media.

I was always a religious person, visiting all possible temples and shrines. But my father was almost an atheist. We always used to argue over the existence of God. I was very worried for him. Because my prayers were not bringing any positive results, I too began questioning God’s existence. Once through a friend I got introduced to the programs of Nirmal baba on television. It is then that I realized as to why my prayers were not answered yet. The way I was praying or the customs that I was following was wrong! It is through the effectual counseling that I got through Nirmal Baba, I renewed my prayers in the way he advised and got positive results. My father’s life changed, he now believes and trusts in God more than me! This is one of the many experiences in my life concerning Nirmal baba’s blessings.

The following is the experience shared by one of my closest friend - We all live in this world as mortal beings having all pains and troubles. These are common to everyone but to me it once felt like killing me inch by inch. I decided once for all to end my life, instead of dying day by day. That was day that I met with Nirmal baba. Through my niece who was a staunch believer of Nirmal Baba, I attended his samagam. It is then that I realized what I was about to do. With the one samagam that I attended, my life took a u-turn and came right back on the track. My problem didn’t get solved immediately but I got the courage to fight back. Thus I began believing in Nirmal baba.

This is the experience of my sister-in-law who is a school teacher with rationalistic views. She believes in God firmly and none else. And to her Nirmal Baba appeared as, just a person who was a guiding light towards that Almighty in which we all and he himself believes in. All the allegations by media and others that Nirmal baba claimed himself as God are wrong. Had it been a truth then Nirmal baba would not have advised people to pray to God sincerely, visit temples regularly, give dasawand, etc. He is but a teacher teaching the ways of God to the people. He is like a beacon of light to the people who go astray in the dark.

In all the above mentioned everyone had different experiences about Nirmal baba. We may not believe on him, or on his divine powers but that does not mean that he is wrong or fake and crook as alleged by media. If I am an atheist I have no right to stop other people from following God. Similarly, those people who do not believe in him should not try to shake or break the belief of the people who trust him as a guru, a teacher or as God.