CV Raman (1888-1970), the renowned Indian scientist, once had it pointed out to him that scientific discoveries were accidental. Raman responded, “Yes, but such accidents occur only when the mind is prepared.” The fact is that all the opportunities for scientific discovery are already present in nature. People pass by them but fail to recognize them. Having a prepared mind, a scientist instantly recognizes and develops any such matter that could be of scientific interest the moment he comes across it. This is how scientific discovery is arrived at.
The same is true of spirituality. Tokens of spirituality are scattered all over the world. Every part of nature, great or small, is invested with spiritual content. People see the signs but pass them by without detecting them. One with a prepared mind, however, can recognize them and then turn them into objects of contemplation. It is ‘discovery plus contemplation’ that adds up to spirituality.
Two friends, Moti Ram and Ram Ratan Kapila, a former jeweller and an AC engineer, were in the habit of taking morning walks together in a quiet part of New Delhi. Once, along the way, they found a glittering object. Ram Ratan Kapila picked it up and pronounced it a piece of glass. Moti Ram, on the other hand, immediately recognized it as a diamond. Although his friend was a degree holder in the science of Air Conditioning, he failed to recognize the object for what it was. On the other hand, Moti Ram, being a jeweller, only took a second to recognize it. This was because he had a prepared mind on the subject of gemstones.
This story illustrates the importance of mental preparedness. Anyone who wants to live as a spiritual person must train himself to this end. One who has neglected to prepare himself will never be able to draw spiritual nourishment from life’s experiences. In the midst of spiritual abundance, he will continue to remain spiritually starved.
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