Swami ji’s Sandesh… ” इंसान दोहरा व्यवहार करने वाला, दोमुंहा क्यों बनता जा रहा है?”

Swami ji said…

The alacrity with which man can change his colours can, very often, put a chameleon’s exclusive quality of doing so – to shame. In a day man can change his colours numerous times – as and when it suits him; is advantageous to him. A kind and admiring face for those whom ‘he’ needs; and a cold and uncaring look for those who need ‘him’. One tone for friends, yet another for strangers. One set of values in public, and quite another in private. Sometimes he says what others would like to hear, and sometimes what others simply couldn’t bear to hear. There is no moral rectitude on which his behaviour is anchored. No principle on which the character of his actions is based.

Such a double – faced life, while beneficial to the outwardly life, comes at a huge cost to the soul. The mind is forced to remember who it pretended to be, and where. Words begin to lose their weight and meaning and actions lose their integrity. What is spoken is no longer aligned with what is felt, and what is shown is no longer rooted in truth. Such a life may appear successful on the surface, but, within, it breeds constant restlessness and fear — fear of being exposed, fear of being misunderstood, fear of losing advantage.

The spiritual path, however, demands simplicity and honesty in man’s conduct in society. The spiritual seeker must strive to be the same person everywhere: in gain and in loss, in praise and in criticism, before the world and also in solitude. Yes, one cannot be made a fool by being taken advantage of. That is just as necessary. It is sometimes necessary to become a lion – to continue to being a soft lamb within – especially when faced with the bullies of the world. But, one must not let the world make us lose our inherent softness and goodness.

Do we ever see babies and toddlers differentiate between people on the basis of class, looks, colour, money etc.? It is society that teaches them about differences, and, further teaches them to treat everyone ‘differently’. And yes, while there is a pragmatic logic to this, one must still seek to see all as equal and behave with them in an equitable manner as much as possible.

A smile does not cost us money. A hearty laugh will not rob us of our dreams. They can be shared with one and all.
It is only when behaviour is consistent – that the mind becomes steady.There is no burden of pretence to carry, no role to remember, no mask to protect.True strength lies not in adapting oneself to every situation for benefit, but, in remaining rooted in truth – regardless of circumstance. The one who speaks honestly need not remember his words. The one who acts sincerely need not justify his actions. Such a person walks lightly through life, unburdened by inner conflict.

God does not look at appearances, He does not pay heed to lip service. He only looks at intent. He does not measure how convincingly and articulately we perform before others, but, only observes how truthfully we live within ourselves. He wants us to show courage to be truthful – when falsehood is rewarding, and be humble where our pride is bursting for praise. It is when man shows such discipline that the ‘soul’ finds rest.