8216;Everything is inspired by a powerful beyond8217;

Rajiv Pratap Rudy, BJP MP 038; Spokesperson.

What does spirituality mean to you?

Most people in India think I am an atheist. As a Hindu member of a certain political party, they expect me to behave in a certain way and show an active public religious commitment 8212; which I don8217;t always do. But it is simply because spirituality and religion are two different things to me. Spirituality is about finding out about the mystery, the unexplained. It is about understanding the way things happen, it is an introspection about your own destiny. It also is about positive thinking. Indeed, a natural human weakness is to see the negative side of life, whereas spiritual masters of all kinds, even on all those spiritual TV programs, remind us about the positive.

Do you believe you are guided and protected by a superior force?

Absolutely 8212; since I have been an orphan child, all has been stirred to get me where I am. Who decides what happens, whom we meet, what happens in our lives? We may have the illusion it is us, but I have no doubt it isn8217;t the case. All that we do, achieve and fail, good or bad, is inspired by something powerful and mysterious beyond. Of course we have to do our 8216;homework8217; but it is not enough. I remember the story of a saint who asked someone to stand on one foot. Then he asked him to pick up the other foot. The person couldn8217;t. This is the way things function: we can do half of the work but the other one is not under our control.

Do you believe you have a special mission or purpose in this life?

Well, the profession I wanted to exert I never got to do, and while I never wanted to be in politics, here I am. So I firmly believe that everything is predestined. But on the other hand, if destiny wanted me here, why doesn8217;t it give me enough power to do and give for all, when there is so much suffering and poverty? That strength has not come to me yet. Maybe because of my surroundings, or my own selfish attitude. I am waiting for that unleashing to happen.

What is spirituality for you in your day to day life?

It is not about certain routines or rituals 8212; I do not believe that if you do this or do not do that, things will or won8217;t happen. It is first and foremost about introspection, but introspection with joy. And every evening when I go to sleep, I must find a unique reason to wake up the next morning. If it is always the same routine, if I do not find a special purpose for the next day, I can8217;t keep walking, I can8217;t keep working. This is daily spirituality for me.

What is the role of spirituality in the world of politics?

I do not see spirituality as a set of moral beliefs applied to politics. Indeed, most people go to temples or mosques, pray religiously, utter beautiful words and then go out in the world doing exactly the contrary. For me, it is rather about getting the strength to deliver to the last man. The government is supposed to take care of education, health and so many other things and here in India, we have failed miserably doing so. Maybe two hundred million people are doing fine, all the others aren8217;t. So spirituality in politics is about finding the force to fulfil that responsibility.

Can you tell us about a unique experience that changed or shaped your spiritual beliefs?

I lost my father at the age of five. And despite the fact the head of the family was gone, the family has been fine, I have reached a quite good position in life and so on. From there originates my belief in the reality of something and someone beyond, stirring it all.

What are your spiritual inspirations?

My religious exposure began with my mother, who was always performing pujas, attending temples and so on. But I would say that the very many struggles and defeats I have gone through are the ones which really shaped my spiritual beliefs.

If you were to be reincarnated, what would you like to be reincarnated as?

I have yet to find an answer about the question of reincarnation, I am not sure I believe in it. But in any case, I would just like to be myself again, to complete any incomplete task of this lifetime, in whatever form and wherever it is meant to be.

If there was one question you could ask god, what would it be?

Why do you create so much trouble if you have a solution to everything? Everyone believes in you, so why do you create such chaos all over the world?

What is your idea of happiness?

Going to sleep comfortably in the evening and getting up fresh in the morning, with nothing disturbing me through the night. That is good enough!