DR SURENDER SINGH KANDHARI: “Spirituality is seeking within oneself, it is self-exploration and controlling the vices” and added, “Self-analysis is important, I like to think that spirituality is the lyrical aspect of religion. I am no poet, though the rhythm of this discipline has always moved me”.
“Spiritual journey is a journey within, in my view, rituals are not to be confused with spirituality”, said HE Sunjay Sudhir, the Ambassador of India to UAE.
Speaking at an event to launch the book ONE – The Spiritual Search by Dr Surender Singh Kandhari, Mr Sudhir said that COVID had forced us to rethink material possessions and worldly attachments. “This is just the right time to begin the journey within to have our life’s priorities right”, he said.
The book – third in the trilogy of books by Dr Kandhari- presents simple everyday facts that one could use as a guide to move to a level of better and meaningful co-existence.
Speaking on occasion, Dr Surender Singh Kandhari, chairman of Al Dobowi Group, stated that “spirituality is seeking within oneself, it is self-exploration and controlling the vices” and added, “Self-analysis is important, I like to think that spirituality is the lyrical aspect of religion. I am no poet, though the rhythm of this discipline has always moved me”.
On the question of COVID, Dr Kandhari stated that while we may differ in terms of nationalities, race, and colour, among others, COVID does not recognise any of those differences and infects us irrespective. “What it has taught us is to respect each other”, he said.
H.E. Maqsoud Kruse, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) UAE; Lord Rami Ranger, House of Lords London & Founder of Sun Mark Limited and Dr Paresh Rugani, UK based multi-award winning international motivational speaker graced the occasion to launch the book. H.E. Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Former Minister of State for Tolerance, Abu Dhabi, UAE and Swami Brahmaviharidas of BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi joined the event online.
One, published in separate Arabic and English editions, Dr. Kandhari chooses simple every day facts which are an eye-opener in terms of how we conduct ourselves to be able to move to a level of better and meaningful co-existence.
Laugher has no tax, take time out to communicate with your loved ones, mobile phones are a need and they should not rule you. There is a very apt allegory in the beginning of his third book, titled ‘One: The spiritual search’ in which a hunter finds himself face to face with a charging lion on a barren, empty stretch of ground. Just at the last moment, he climbs up a tree and out of danger. Now, where did the tree suddenly appear from in such a barren path, one might ask. That, in essence, is the lesson that Dr. Kandhari wishes to drive home through the book. For, the tree, is the is salvation that one can find through spirituality and servitude of mankind, which will help him escape or tame the lion which is always chasing us. How you manage to change the lion and live a good life lies in your hands. The decision was yours all along.
The book talks about living practically and also do service to humanity because that is how one serves God. “Being Godly is good, but bringing godliness in you is much more important,” said Dr. Kandhari. He added that today most of us have lost the essence of actions and deeds and only do superficial actions that hold no meaning. People have forgotten the meaning of contentment and that is the root cause of all the unhappiness in the world as people lose sight of their boundaries and aspire for things that they lack. This has led to envy and jealousy. The solution lies in overcoming the mind and finding satisfaction in what one already has.
“The best attitude is gratitude,” said Dr. Kandhari, adding that every morning waking up with a sense of elation at being alive and having a chance to live healthy and grateful is the right way.
It’s never too late to be that ‘ONE’ individual who could create a feeling, a oneness among the individuals, oneness towards peace, oneness towards tolerance, oneness towards gratitude, oneness towards simplicity for a better tomorrow that we would want to entrust our future generations with so that human values do not become endangered and extinct.
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