By: Sr.Jayanti
Source: The Daily Guardian  https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/view/1654/the-daily-guardian/14
Dated: November 16, 2024

As we progress on the path of self-improvement, sometimes we become careless and lazy in a subtle way. How does that happen? Instead of honest and careful self-examination, we superficially scan our life and tell ourselves, ‘I am doing OK… I am fine.’ My material circumstances may be comfortable, but can I truthfully say, after genuine introspection, that I no longer have any weakness? Are my thoughts, feelings, and intentions entirely virtuous? Is my ego reassuring me that all is well? If my family, colleagues, and other people I interact with, say that they are happy with me, that would be cause for satisfaction, but if I give myself a congratulatory certificate, it is a sign of carelessness and it shows that I am not checking myself scrupulously.

When we have spent some time working on ourselves and start to feel that we have grown, we may sometimes become slack in our efforts. We think: ‘I know what I need to do… I have learned all there is to learn….’ Our conduct is proof of what we have learned. If our words or behaviour are sometimes inappropriate, it is a sign that we are still carrying things in the mind that stop us from being the best we can be. When we speak or act in ways that bring about regret, it indicates that we have not attained self-mastery.

Merely knowing what all we need to do to become a better person does not bring about change within us. Some people are happy about the fact that they know all the formulae for personal growth, and they beautifully expound on them. But the expected results are not visible in their life. They are like a patient who is gratified at the fact that they have consulted a good doctor, who has prescribed them the best medicine, but they do not take the medication. Can they get well just by admiring the doctor and the medicine?

Similarly, knowledge by itself does not produce the desired results if it is not applied in our life. Sustained personal development requires constant attention on the self, to see where we are lacking and make the necessary efforts to remove the shortcomings. This kind of attention and alertness automatically free us from laziness, which creeps in when we are complacent about our weaknesses. “This is a common defect… everyone has it… I will get over it one day….” Trying to convince ourselves in this manner will ultimately lead to failure, disappointment, and repentance, as we look back on our life and what it might have been had we been diligent in our efforts.

When we see other people make mistakes, it is wrong to reassure ourselves with the thought that others are no better than us. The correct and constructive response would be to learn a lesson so that we do not make similar errors.

Always being willing and eager to learn, being aware of one’s goal, not wasting time, discipline, and determination are the keys to staying on the right track and achieving a elevated goal for the self.

B.K.Jayanti is the Additional Administrative 
Head of the Brahma Kumaris.