How do we know where we stand spiritually?
One cannot determine this on their own. The mind, which experiences ups and downs, can never pass judgement against itself. In other words, our mind is flawed, yet we are asking that same mind, "Am I flawed?" It will naturally respond, "Not at all! I'm perfectly fine." Only God and Guru can truly know where one stands. However, philosophy gives us an idea of our own standing, and we should evaluate ourselves according to it.
How do we evaluate ourselves? -
yāvat pāpaistu malinaṃ hṛdayaṃ tāvadeva hi। (Brahm Vaivarta Purana)
The more polluted our mind is, the more we think, listen, and speak about dirty, worldly, sinful things. If we find faults in others, it is proof that our own mind is sinful. When our own mind is filled with uncountable sins, why do we look at others' faults rather than reflect on our own?
The moment we entertain a negative thought about someone else, it implies that we consider ourselves faultless. However, no one is without faults before attaining God. We must observe our own thoughts and evaluate ourselves accordingly. People not only dwell on others' faults but also exaggerate and share them with others who might otherwise be contemplating God. By doing so, they commit sins. One pollutes others' thoughts, too. Thus, they harm not just themselves but others, too. In the same manner, they commit nāmaparādh.
People engage in satsang and, at the same time, keep committing such sins. We should not even listen when someone gossips or speaks ill of others. If we do listen to or take an interest in it, it is undeniable proof that our mind is sinful. If someone offered us filthy food, such as a laddu made of cow dung, we would immediately reject it with disgust. Yet, when others feed us impure thoughts, we readily consume them. This is the material world. Naturally, things here are polluted. However, our duty is to cleanse our mind, not accumulate more dirt from the outside.
We should accept ourselves as sinful and fallen and be humble. Our mind is like a cloth that has accumulated dirt over countless lifetimes. We need clean water to clean it, which can only be found in God and Guru. Only by bringing Them into our mind can it be cleansed, or it will become even more polluted. Conversely, if we permit impure thoughts, our mind will only become more dirty - it is a simple and straightforward fact.
Before sleeping, take five minutes to reflect: Where did I entertain impure thoughts today? And why? Our mind should always long to hear about God, think on its own, or at the very least, read something about Him, as all these lead to contemplation. At the very minimum, we must save ourselves from committing sins. Do not think, "Let me indulge in eating out today." We must exercise control over our senses, mind, and tongue. With all these points in mind, reflect on where you stand - how much you have progressed or regressed spiritually.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
Sadhak Savdhani - English
Sadhak Savdhani - English Ebook
How do we know where we stand spiritually?
One cannot determine this on their own. The mind, which experiences ups and downs, can never pass judgement against itself. In other words, our mind is flawed, yet we are asking that same mind, "Am I flawed?" It will naturally respond, "Not at all! I'm perfectly fine." Only God and Guru can truly know where one stands. However, philosophy gives us an idea of our own standing, and we should evaluate ourselves according to it.
How do we evaluate ourselves? -
yāvat pāpaistu malinaṃ hṛdayaṃ tāvadeva hi। (Brahm Vaivarta Purana)
The more polluted our mind is, the more we think, listen, and speak about dirty, worldly, sinful things. If we find faults in others, it is proof that our own mind is sinful. When our own mind is filled with uncountable sins, why do we look at others' faults rather than reflect on our own?
The moment we entertain a negative thought about someone else, it implies that we consider ourselves faultless. However, no one is without faults before attaining God. We must observe our own thoughts and evaluate ourselves accordingly. People not only dwell on others' faults but also exaggerate and share them with others who might otherwise be contemplating God. By doing so, they commit sins. One pollutes others' thoughts, too. Thus, they harm not just themselves but others, too. In the same manner, they commit nāmaparādh.
People engage in satsang and, at the same time, keep committing such sins. We should not even listen when someone gossips or speaks ill of others. If we do listen to or take an interest in it, it is undeniable proof that our mind is sinful. If someone offered us filthy food, such as a laddu made of cow dung, we would immediately reject it with disgust. Yet, when others feed us impure thoughts, we readily consume them. This is the material world. Naturally, things here are polluted. However, our duty is to cleanse our mind, not accumulate more dirt from the outside.
We should accept ourselves as sinful and fallen and be humble. Our mind is like a cloth that has accumulated dirt over countless lifetimes. We need clean water to clean it, which can only be found in God and Guru. Only by bringing Them into our mind can it be cleansed, or it will become even more polluted. Conversely, if we permit impure thoughts, our mind will only become more dirty - it is a simple and straightforward fact.
Before sleeping, take five minutes to reflect: Where did I entertain impure thoughts today? And why? Our mind should always long to hear about God, think on its own, or at the very least, read something about Him, as all these lead to contemplation. At the very minimum, we must save ourselves from committing sins. Do not think, "Let me indulge in eating out today." We must exercise control over our senses, mind, and tongue. With all these points in mind, reflect on where you stand - how much you have progressed or regressed spiritually.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
Sadhak Savdhani - English
Sadhak Savdhani - English Ebook
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