In my previous posts we saw the importance of talking sweetly and gently, being happy and practicing acceptance and letting go our attachment to outcomes. Adding on these lines, I thought of writing more about the noble qualities one should imbibe for better harmony and inner peace leading to everlasting bliss.
So, what are they?
1. Alignment of thoughts, words and actions
Simply put, the foremost of noble qualities would be aligning one’s actions with words and intentions. Observing your mind is the first step, because a calm mind can only produce clear thoughts and thoughts become words, words become actions which in turn becomes habit. Habits form one’s character and good character enables harmony and warmth. When your thoughts are infused with purity, the aligned actions become noble which in turn fosters positivity, harmony, integrity and a meaningful life.
Resolutions and reality
Many of us have this habit of forming an impressive new year resolution aiming at healthy eating, weight loss, daily exercising and so on, but in no time we fail to pursue the resolution isn’t it? Actions fail miserably, while we wanted to do all that. What’s the reason? Possibly, unrealistic wish list or procrastination or superficial goals without thinking deeply or expectation of outcomes without efforts or simply laziness. Whatever be the reason, we know for sure that without acting on the intentions, the results are not going to show up. So right from simple new year resolutions to profound spiritual seeking, it is important to align one’s actions with thoughts.
Trust is the very foundation
This applies to all relationships as well, as a spouse, one has to act basis words to ensure a healthy and harmonious relationship. In matters of love, the relationship is built on trust and the foundation is shaken if actions are not aligned with those promises (words) made. Don’t we see many marriages failing – the principal reason being it is all rosy when they start. How deeply they feel for each other and believe they cannot be without the other partner and yet they part-ways later. Actions fail to align with promises, expectations remain unfulfilled and the bridge of trust is broken, resulting in broken marriages. So, it is in our hands to make it or break it, trust is the very foundation of every relationship and when actions don’t support words, eventually the relationship will break.
Be mindful, practice alignment of actions with words and intentions always.
2. Following the path of truthfulness and goodness
The next in the line of noble qualities, is following the path of “truthfulness” and “goodness”. Being truthful brings meaning and liberation to one’s life. Have we not noticed several times that admitting a misdeed at once frees us up, rather than trying to camouflage the facts with lies, and more and more lies. Truthfulness is a habit to be inculcated from early childhood, else it becomes very difficult to practice, as truth is bound to bring bitterness.
One needs enormous courage to be truthful, but it is worth every penny. However you may ask, “ask the other person, they will have their own version of truth, so which version is truth anyway”? Truth is not always relative, while it may differ based on circumstances and time, some part of truth always remains constant. Being truthful is in a way being responsible and being responsible means your actions are aligned with intentions.
Alignment to Dharma
Of course, I have faced innumerable issues on account of being truthful, yes there is a price to pay for inner peace! When thoughts, words and actions align, there is no alternate to truth, it becomes a default characteristic. And goodness is the first cousin of truthfulness, they go hand in hand. Alignment to Dharma empowers and enables one to be truthful and good. We begin to start seeing others around us as an extension of ourselves and we tend to do unto others what we would do unto ourselves as per our Dharma. Listen to Sathya Sai Baba’s speech on Sathyam, Dharma, Prema and Shanthi, the essence of which is also reproduced below in quotes.
Without Sathya, Dharma, Prema and Shanti –
Whatever education you may acquire, the value of it is zero!
Whatever positions of authority you may occupy, what you gain is zero!
Whatever charity one does, what is achieved is zero!
The returns for the numerous good deeds performed amounts to zero!
For the mansion of Sanatana Dharma, these four (Sathya, Dharma, Prema and Shanti) constitute the pillars of foundation. What other truth can I convey to you good people?
– Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai
Goodness
“Goodness”, like “happiness”, is a habit and a choice. Unless one has noble intentions with their actions and words aligned, they cannot practice goodness. Being and doing good fosters deeper and harmonious relationships with oneself, with those around and with society at large. Be kind and do good, they never go unnoticed, even a simple act of kindness will return to you multifold, the universe pays you back. Amongst many personal experiences that reinforced the need to continue being truthful and good, one experience really stood out in this regard. Let me narrate that very briefly here.
Nature repays
In my life journey, I was in search of a Guru and, after a point, gave up the search, as it seemed endless, but all I did was continuing to share whatever I can unto others in the form of social service. Then, suddenly one day, I stumbled upon my spiritual Guru who redeemed and restored me into whatever I am today.
He showed me to me, helped me overcome struggles and negative emotions and look inward. He often said that it is no coincidence that the Guru has come to you. “It’s your sincere seeking for a Guru, combined with the good deeds (karma) you have done, that’s being repaid to you in the form of a Guru. Nature is duty bound to repay you for the kind and selfless actions done in the past”. He changed me inside out and continues to inspire and guide me from within, albeit not being in his physical body now.
Each one of us would have seen such happenings, where nature repays you, sooner or later, for all acts of kindness. Nothing goes unregistered in the laws of nature. Whatever is given comes back, you share love, you get love, you share money, you get money, you share your time or education or anything else, you will definitely see it coming back to you in some form or the other. This, indeed, is how karma works.
Be good Be kind and gentle, Be truthful, it contributes to a harmonious world.
Is that all? Nope, a few more noble qualities to follow in my upcoming posts. Stay tuned!
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