From artoflliving.org: “Spirituality should come into politics,” was Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s advice to Indian Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel during a nationally televised dialogue.
“We need to spiritualize politics, socialize business and secularize religion. Devoid of spirituality, politics breeds corruption,” he says.
From the above quote, we can conclude that spirituality and politics are not incompatible. Some may argue that a spiritual seeker cannot participate in politics.
However, if one is living a life of surrender and devotion to God, it is completely possible. If God places one in a political position, then it is Divine Will.
From the perspective of a citizen, a spiritual seeker is perfectly capable of voting in elections or even helping a candidate campaign for a political position. The action does not matter; what matters is where the mind is at.
If one votes or campaigns with non-attachment and indifference to the result, then there is no spiritual conflict.
The Dalai Lama has participated in political action in Tibet; Mahatma Gandhi obviously did the same in India. The political process is necessary to maintain a region, state, providence, country, etc.
One who participates in politics must stay true to the yogic principles: non-attachment to action, beliefs, or views. If one governs or participates in such a manner, renouncing the fruit of action, there is no problem.
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