Swami ji’s Sandesh… “‘सही’ और ‘गलत’ का फर्क जानते हुए भी, हम ‘गलत’ कार्य क्यों करते हैं?”

Swami ji said …

No stone was left unturned and painstaking efforts were made by our elders – right through our childhood and adolescence – to instill in us the major difference between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’; to be ever conscious of the distinct void that exists between them and how essential it was for us to not even think of going down the ‘wrong’ path that would tempt us to indulge in wrong-doings- “हमेशा सही काम करो… गलती करने से दूर रहो”- It would not be possible for us to count the number of times our parents had reminded us, gently, and, at times even forewarned us – as they knew we just might be tempted to do the wrong thing. Constant reminders to always do the right thing – “जो चीज़ तुम्हारी नहीं है—वह कभी भी, किसी भी हाल में, तुम्हारा मन चाहे जितना भी ललचाए—मत लेना…” “कोई भी गलत काम मत करना…” – were ingrained in us – but did we abide by their stern reminders?

Not really – as a few among us might have just picked up a brand-new scented eraser from our classmate’s pencil box and carried it home for just a night- and on being caught by our parents – returned it with great reluctance to the ‘rightful’ owner. We just did it. Maybe, the ‘desire’ to possess an eye-catching object could have overpowered our ability to think with clarity at that young age. The question – ‘ Why had we done so? ‘ – could draw different answers from us – as we would try to defend our act – which we would deep down know – should have never been done by us.

Our parents had told us, tirelessly, during our adolescence – to stay away from certain vices – that could take a heavy toll on us and have damaging consequences on our health and mental state. But a few among us, in the quest to ‘try’ the untried – could have picked up certain habits – which we might not have been able to give up over the years and have unfortunately become an inseparable part of our lives today. Was it our ‘ego’ that refused to listen to the simple direction given to us by them that – if what we intended to do was not right, would not help, enrich or benefit us in any way – then that should not be done by us? But how many of us had sincerely paid heed to the valuable advice given to us by them? Mere lip-service and not adhering to a promise – in case we had made one to them – would neither work in our favour nor ensure our betterment in any way.

‘Speak the ‘truth’ ‘- at all times, irrespective of the condition and circumstances in which we found ourselves – was the simple, but, very significant principle that our parents repeatedly had told us to build our lives on – but, again, how many times had we taken the escape route – by speaking the ‘untruth’ and ‘lied’ – to save our skin, to get out of a difficult situation or simply because it had become a habit. Why has it always been so very easy to forget the guidelines laid down by our elders and instead settle for doing the ‘wrong’ thing – with the skill of a practiced wrong – doer, without batting an eyelid ? After all, why is it so difficult for us to adhere to the instruction – that there is no need for us to ‘say anything’ that is not ‘true’ – and to say only if it is the ‘truth’. Why fabricate lies – as one lie always leads to another lie?’

We were also told to listen more and speak only when necessary. But that is not the case today. We feel a compulsion to speak on topics with a put-on authority – despite not being well-versed at all in the issue being discussed. We have strong opinions and even stronger convictions in them – even though we very well know they might not necessarily hold true. Why speak unnecessarily- when we don’t know much about the core issue? Wouldn’t it be better to stay quiet?

For the spiritual seeker, this morality check of oneself is a necessary practice. We often do that which we not ought to do as the mind convinces us otherwise. Slander and falsehood is labelled as a ‘joke’ by the mind, a means of fun and frolic – not understanding the pain and hurt it can cause. Poor habits, addictions are indulged by the mind as ‘treats’ – “Just this one time won’t hurt… I deserve a break” – the mind says. The mind spins tales to us and before long, we are speaking lies and committing bad actions, all under some pretext or another. And it does not then take any longer for us to fall into a corrupt and morally bankrupt lifestyle.

The mind is powerful. Controlling it is akin to controlling an army of thousands. Thus, it is perfectly natural for us to fall into vices and sin at times. However, it is important that we build a mental immunity to this, by constantly checking ourselves. Asking ourselves, am I doing something wrong here? Is my quest for comfort forcing me to do something immoral? Am I deceiving myself by doing what I am doing? Am I looking the wrong way- instead of acknowledging my drawbacks and weaknesses? It is only then that we can become stronger in mind and focus our energy on developing ourselves spiritually.