Having gratitude for what has been given to us by God is an important aspect in the development of spiritual emotion. A few days ago, I witnessed one such example of gratitude.

Living in an āshram (hermitage) where SSRF has its research centre in Goa is not like living at home. It is a very spartan lifestyle and the frills and luxuries that are available to us at home are not available in the āshram. However seekers of God transcend their need for these luxuries as for them, the benefits of living in an āshram, far outweigh worldly luxuries with respect to the āshram providing a conducive environment for spiritual development.

This Halloween, we report on one other malpractice observed during the festival – that of denigrating religious figures, God or deities. In New York City, supermodel Heidi Klum dressed up in a costume resembling the Hindu Goddess Kali. This type of stunt displays disrespect towards the aspect of the God principle represented through that form, especially when it is done to attract public attention. A basic law of spiritual science states that ‘The word, touch, form, taste, smell and its related energy coexist’. This means where the form of God is present such as in the form of deity Kali, God’s attendant divine energy is also present. Hence that form is something to be revered, rather than used for fun, entertainment or publicity.