Hope and Spirituality

Life on earth has never been an easygoing way. From the first day of our existence on the earth, it can be written that journey of newborn is going to be full of ups and down. It has happened with everyone in past and will happen with everyone in future. Life never runs along a straight line. Many obstacles in spite of true and honest efforts stand firmly to hinder your way, to discourage you and to break your hope. In this race, who do not lose hope wins the race. Hope is strength of human life.

Material life or spiritual life both face same situation. When one decides to walk on path of spirituality, obstacles and problems starts to play their part to stop him from reaching destination by crushing hope and enthusiasm. Spiritual life is more vulnerable than material life in maintaining hope as on the path of spirituality one might be walking alone. He has no one for motivating and encouraging him. On the name of friends, only some spiritual guidelines and his faiths are there. In addition, there is no fixed time, no fixed length of journey on this path. This makes this path more vulnerable for seeker to fall prey in a hopeless situation thereby quitting the path.

First of all 'Hope' is an honest faith, expecting a certain possibility to occur. Hope is the mysterious source of energy, which keeps people on the move during the most adverse conditions in life where expected outcome is uncertain. Hope marks its existence with beginning of life.

According to Greek mythology ancient Greeks, believe that, hope was the only spirit that was left after Pandora opened Pandora's Box.
While in Christian scripture hope is considered to be one of the most important virtues that should be used by believers. Its, Proverbs 23:18 say that,

"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."

Also, in great Hindu epic Mahabharata, valiant ‘Arjuna’ is seen losing this hope and then ‘Krishna’ urges him to shed his weakness and realize his true potential.Not only human being but also every living organism lives with some kind of hope. ‘Fyodor Dostoevsky’ the mystic writer said that,"To live without Hope is to cease to live."It is true for spiritual life also. 'Hope' can be called as a best friend in spiritual life that can be full of uncertainties. When one trapped in web of uncertainties and problem it is, natural to lose hope, but who know the power of hope can easily break the web and set himself free of worries. A story depict the same power of hope, with help of which other things also get life infused,The Four Candles burned slowly. Their ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak.The first candle said, "I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit." Then Peace's flame slowly diminished and went out completely.The second candle said, "I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable." Then Faith's flame slowly diminished and went out completely.Sadly the third candle spoke, "I Am Love and I haven't the strength to stay lit any longer." "People put me aside and don't understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them." Without waiting for long, love went out completely.Suddenly, a child entered the room and saw the three candles no longer burning.The child began to cry,"Why are you not burning?  You are supposed to stay lit until the end."Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the little boy, "Don't be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles." With shining eyes, the child took the ‘Candle of Hope’ and lit the other three candles.Never let the Flame of Hope go out. With Hope in your life, no matter how bad things may be, Peace, Faith and Love may shine brightly once again.On path of spirituality, we need all these four candles to lighten the path, with its uncertainties one by one we start losing, peace love etc. but it is hope