DEVOTION

Devotion is a manifestation of deep affection or love.  It can be an eager inclination, zeal or even an addiction.  Such feelings toward God can be appropriately expressed by acts of worship; devoutness and commitment. It is an ardent affection, which can be directed toward a person or a principle. It can be a pious dedication, or love of religious observance. One should lay aside the difference between him and others, and feel no anxiety for things of this world. Contempt of the world should be in mind as an unchanging companion. One may bring eager feelings towards God and express them through acts of worship with devoutness.  It is one of the necessary perfections required in AA for spiritual growth.  It requires real dedication to meditation and Truth.  It is characterized by Willingness.  In daily life it is reflected in true humility from the core of one’s heart and in rigorous honesty one aims to attain God’s Grace. The Grace is required in controlling the mind to stay focused in devotion. 

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens to us.  We are not enriched by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results. Our purpose in life is, perhaps, to be useful, to be responsible, and to be compassionate while we lead a fuller life.  This prospect is cancelled, however, once greed appears in the mind.

Love of God has nothing to do with what one is expecting to get.  It is more about what you are expected to give -- which is everything. Devotion is the immortal flow of energy that nourishes, extends and preserves life.  Its chief goal is to enhance the spiritual life.

One’s daily life also benefits from spiritual growth.  He may begin to find happiness in marriage, career, and other interests. Still intentions come easier than making actual, positive progress in spirituality.  Active devotion can aid one both in spiritual and non-spiritual matters.

One can make time for any accomplishment, one chooses in life.  However, modern man demands scientific proof of the validity of any practices, before he can be persuaded to accept them.  They must serve the welfare of the individual or of society.  This is true of values patronized in ancient spirituality as well.  This indeed is a Herculean task, given the intellectual and scientific evolution in the past millennium.  There has been almost a simultaneous deterioration in religious and cultural life.  The result is nearly a total neglect of spirituality and the emergence of blind faith.   Misconceptions, prejudices and superstitions abound.  Until and unless the principles of a faith are truly understood, there cannot be a true devotion to it.  What are the prospects for an individual at the present in this regard?  

Newer generation seems inclined to accept the New Leftist atheistic ideologies in the West.   God and faith tend to be regarded as phantom creations of the sick and fearful minds.   Human body is seen merely as chemical combination of inert elements.  The very existence of immortal consciousness is denied, A few in modern society also flirt with atheism like Dr. Dawkins, who claims God to be a mental delusion of the mortal.  They view worship of God as futile because God did not respond to their selfish prayers and demands made in their distress.  As a consequence, even a long held religiosity is discarded.

Activation of the subtle centers in the brain and the endocrine system can unleash the miraculous powers of the inner mind.  It can reveal the extrasensory mental faculties in us.  Sincere devotion in following the AA steps makes this possible.   The Spirit or Conscience is patiently waiting within each individual to be awakened.  It can reach the highest level of awareness through one’s dedication and earnest devotion. 

What an individual is looking for in his life?

There is something inside telling us that there is more to life than meets the eye.  We may sense that there are better ways to interact with our reality with deference. We want to open something inside but aren't sure what that something is.  Each of us on this earth is at a different stage of spiritual journey.  Others can preach to us, but they themselves may be unable to live according to what they profess.

Conclusion:

Spiritually enlightened mind is said to be a source of divine potentials. Hidden beneath the core of the conscious mind, there lie the prodigious powers of the unconscious mind. Devotion is the key to success in any project but more so in the life of the spirit. It is manifested in an ardent selfless affection, hope, faith and dedication.  It is filled with God’s love.  It gives a spiritual boost to the principle. In it one commits oneself in personal and private supplication to God and prays for understanding.