After all, both, spiritualism and journalism have a common mission to seek and find truth. Spiritualism follows the path of inner search for truth, a truth that helps to achieve self revelation and, finally, to unfold the secrets of the universe. Journalists on their part are constantly pursuant of the truths that lie in front and behind events that occur in the world. One treads the road from internal to external direction in contrast to the other that starts covering the outer incidents but strives to reach the inner sanctum for greater disclosure of nothing but truth. One is inspirational whereas the other is a down-to-earth pursuit. The common platform of truth can bring together what would normally appear to be incongruous disciplines.
The biggest strength of journalism is objectivity. In the turbulent period that Nepal is passing through, most people feel truth is something that is conspicuously absent. Every media house is suspected of taking sides. Journalism has made big strides in our country with the opening of our society to democratic values. New hardware has made its presence felt in multimedia leaving the software much wanting in quality and ultimately in efficacy. By far the most important quintessence of journalism to public education and public faith is independence in reporting and remarking. Journalists invariably make claims to this effect but like the politicians they too break the code of truth. Could spiritualism ever help redress this lacuna in journalism?
The biggest strength of spiritualism lies in cumulative generation of unbiased attitude towards one’s inner world as much as towards the world outside. Spiritual awareness cultivates a habit of looking at the universe with a sense of detachment paving the way for a clearer understanding than one would expect from a sense of expectation. Realization of the true nature of the universe being transitory and non-permanent reinforces impartiality in observation. One who attains this state of consciousness cannot remain subjective in one’s attitude towards all and sundry. In that sense, journalists literate in spirituality are bound to benefit in unbiased reportage. Needless to point out, those who are conversant with this field would be able to perform beyond one’s anticipation.
Journalists literate in spirituality are bound to benefit in unbiased reportage. Needless to point out, those who are conversant with this field would be able to perform beyond one’s anticipation.
Death is what humans fear the most. Spiritualism can have a direct impact upon this state of mind. It helps us to separate the body from the soul. We all are compelled to accept the impermanent nature of the body. However we may differ in our views on permanent or impermanent nature of the soul. Irrespective of this difference, we can realize the sense of fearlessness simmering and swelling as we advance towards spiritual arena. Fearlessness is one big asset that is highly valued in journalism. The frequent threats to editors and reporters of physical harm during and after the violent insurrection in Nepal testify the professional hazards of their jobs. Spirituality, more than their code of conduct, can enable them to perform their public duty without conceding to fear.
Journalism demands broad understanding of humanity in general and the society in particular. Spirituality stands close by to help create such a vision. Human beings irrespective of distinctions in gender, race, color, wealth, education are believed to possess a spirit—universal, immanent and effulgent. It is this qualification that makes every human being equal and inviolable. Those who ignore this simple but basic truth of life are obsessed by visible divisions in human societies in terms of race, religion and region and, imagine, what not. Journalists in the developed countries are found, like their politicians and academics, short of realizing it. The most glaring issue reflecting this misperception and misunderstanding is none other than the most terrifying peril of terrorism. The world is suffering not so much from ideological divisions or imperial ambitions as much from non-state borderless terror campaign. It may again sound little indigestible but one way of addressing this growing menace is to make journalists of the rich countries literate about spirituality so that they could understand humanity in its totality instead of in the confines of national boundaries.
People are interested not only on what is happening but also why it is happening. An in-depth analysis of events is something modern media keeps on stressing. In order to rise to this capability and professional skill, one needs to achieve focus, concentration and information-churning power, which can be primed over a period of time with the help of spirituality. It can even help in desisting from using foul and provocative language that is the bane of our media world. Mature and emotion-free thoughts are highly appreciated in journalism for which spirituality is considered most productive. It is possible and journalists can rise above pervasive stance of greed, anger, vengeance and attachment. These domineering feelings get subdued under the influence of spirituality. Further up the scale is the possibility of converting oneself into a trikaldarshi (one who sees the past, the present and the future at one stroke) if one looks into history, observes current affairs and advances towards spiritual domain. If one does not find spirituality useful for journalists I don’t know what does?
adityaman@hotmail.com
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