Lately many people from different realms of life have been bringing up the same conversation topic related to healing, health and spirituality. Using words like 'natural' and 'magic', the conversations relate magical stories of healing and health without eating, sleeping, spontaneous will-imposed repair and growth, and more.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these talks is that the people interested inmagic are some of the most brilliant minds in America today, ranging from professors and researchers at eminent universities, judges and other top thinkers.

While stories of magic are fun, anyone who has been to India knows a dozen other, more magical stories. For example, on weekends, people in Delhi let themselves be buried under many feet of soil and are dug out the next day...no air, no food, nothing. They survive.

Yet to the serious student of meditation and Self-Realization these powers are nothing but diversions off the true path. These are just magic ? artificial. They are fascination with the astral world, but have little or nothing to do with realizing one's eternal, Soul.

Clearly some magic can awaken one who had little or no faith in a life beyond the physical world. There is something useful in everything. And if a magical path is one that one is drawn to, it is not anyone's place to judge it. This discussion is merely to present another point of view for consideration.

It is hoped that this article will dispel some of the myths about what is mysticism and what are the noticeable results from following a spiritual life.

The main Vedic reference cited to support this present view is the Yoga Sutras, written by Patanjali. In this text he lists numerous magical powers, from invisibility, to growing as large as an elephant, to shrinking as small as an atom.

From floating to disappearing in one place and reappearing in another ? instantly. Yet, he warns that all these are just magic powers in the astral realm. The make one's ego grow and displace one's aim, forgetting to keep focused on one's path towards eternal or Self-Realization.

Yet, we have many people discussing how they can remain alive even without eating or sleeping. How by manipulating astral realms one can grow new cells and tissues and thus heal various conditions, 'naturally'.

From the Vedic point of view, this is not natural, it is artificial: it is astral manipulation. Just because you don't use anything 'relative' it doesn't mean it is natural. Natural is using non-harmful herbs, foods and lifestyle changes in the relative world to heal relative-world disorders.

The body is relative and requires natural relative medicine. Manipulating the genes, cells or tissues through the astral realm is as dangerous or perhaps even more dangerous than genetic engineering. Both are manipulation ? both play God with unknown forces. Both pose serious side-effects.

Natural, non-magicical, simple living is admonished by the great saints of all religions. There is a Buddhist saying,

'Before enlightenment. chop wood and carry water.'
'After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.'

Simplicity of life. Nothing external changes. Life is the world remains life in the world. Spirituality and Self-Realization do not mean that one becomes Superman or Superwoman. Powers only swell the ego. Powers are still relative - they have a beginning and end, and require work to achieve. Self-Realization is eternal and unbounded. It has no tangible power, no boundaries to notice...there is nothing to hold or lose.

So what is spirituality? How does one measure their growth of spirituality? These questions were recently asked by a client who said they weren't having any more 'so-called' spiritual experiences from their meditation.

In the 1960's many Indian gurus came to the US and somehow the message got out that to lead a spiritual life you have to leave your family and give all your money to the guru. Even today I find people wanting to leave their family in the name of spirituality.

Many other people still shy away from gurus and spiritual groups for fear they will be asked to give all their money away. 'Non-attachement' to relative things has become the buzzword.

Yet if you visit India, and ask average religious-minded people what is the key to their life, they will tell you that it is 'attachment' to family that makes the person free. Holding onto family responsibilities and ethical business gives them an inspiring and safe structure for their spirits to grow.

In short, spirituality is about improving the quality of one's health, family and career life. It is simple, unassuming, and an almost boring life for one who is looking for spiritual highs. Spirituality is about finding real inner self-worth growing silently through fulfilling the above-said life-responsibilities.

Often people are looking for some magic growth in their life and don't look at the real areas of spiritual growth ? their family life.

One night a man was on his hands and knees on the sidewalk, under a street lamp.

Another man approached and asked, "What happened?"
The first man said, "I lost my car keys."
"Where did you lose them?", asked the second man.
The man on the ground said, "I lost them across the street."
"Then why are you looking for them here?", the second man asked.
The first man replied, "Because the light is better over here."

People tend to look for something in another place because it is easier to look there, then become disappointed when they cannot find it.

Once a young man became quite taken with the notion of a magic trick, a slight-of-hand, where one can make a coin appear and disappear from their fingers. He went to the local magician and asked to learn this trick.

"Why do you want to learn this magic?", asked the teacher.
"If I can become a good magician my life will become glorious.", replied the eager student.

The teacher, secretly being a wise man, agreed to teach and said the following, "First you must carry this coin with you from the time you wake until the time you sleep. In the morning, water the flowers and vegetable garden, walk the dog, cook breakfast for your family. All the time keep the coin with you.

"Next, go to work and try to do the best job you can, help the people as best you can, but at all times, keep the coin with you.

"When you return home at night, talk with your wife, help you children with their studies, but always keep the coin with you.

"Just before bed, practice the magic trick only once, then go to sleep. Follow these instructions for six years and then I will come to see your progress."

The man followed the teachers advice exactly. At the end of six years, the teacher, true to his word, arrived at the student's home and inquired how the magic trick was going. The student was quite upset.

"I followed your advice exactly, but having so little time to practice the actual trick, I am sad to say that I have not achieved my goals."

"What were the reasons you wanted to learn the magic trick?", asked the teacher.

"To have a glorious life.", replied the student.

The teacher motioned the student to follow him outside his house and walk across the street. They turned around to look at the student's house. There they saw a beautiful flower garden, a wonderful vegetable garden, and happy, healthy children and wife in the yard.

The teacher said, "It seems that your magic trick has been successful. You have achieved a glorious life."

A man wanted to learn how to walk on water. He spent 50 years perfecting this power. Finally he learned the trick and walked across the water to an island where a great saint lived. He proudly told the saint, "It took me 50 years but I learned to walk on the water to reach you. Aren't you proud of me?"

The saint replied, "It would have been quicker to take a boat."

Live in the world with what the world offers, just use the healthy, natural things of the world.

The growth of spirituality and the practice of meditation is not to have some astral experience, some high, or to develop some great mental or physical powers. Spirituality is a part of all aspects of life. It is a fertilizer that nurtures all domains of life.

If one becomes closer to family, a more devoted worker, these are the positive signs that meditation is working. Meditation is not to make you move away from the world, but to enhance your worldly life.

In society, there is a natural, built-in tendency to become less involved in the world. After people raise children, and help raise their grandchildren, their worldly responsibilities are not as much in demand. This is the time for more contemplation and meditation. There is a time in life for everything.

So make hay while the sun shines. Attach yourself to your health, family and career during your most productive years. Responsibility is spirituality expressed. Simplicity is the spiritual badge of honor. And count your life blessings.

This article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe. It in no way is intended to substitute for care from duly licensed health professionals.

Swami Sadashiva Tirtha, D.Sc., may be contacted through the International Vedic Institute - School of Ayurveda.