Life is difficult. Many situations upset us and we wonder how we can remain ethical in the face of these daily challenges. At every moment we are confronted with choices between right and wrong. Some people are slaves to their passions. They may hurt others or be untruthful, egotistical, or selfish. They do not try to improve themselves by developing ethical virtues. They have not yet realized the value of ethical living and of purifying themselves to take steps back to God. Until they tread the spiritual path they remain unaware of the consequences of leading an unethical life. Every day we encounter such people. Without a reason to change their ways, they keep doing things that are harmful to themselves and to others.
On the other hand, those who are walking on the spiritual path are trying to perfect their ethical way of living. They are trying to be non-violent, truthful, pure, humble and selfless.
It is difficult to remain non-violent in the face of violence. It is difficult to remain truthful in the face of untruth. It is difficult to remain humble in the face of ego. It is difficult to remain selfless in the face of selfishness. It is difficult to remain pure in the face of impurity.
Each day we are faced with challenges. The challenge on the spiritual path is to choose what is good in the face of choices that are bad for us. We want to be vegetarian and avoid drugs and alcohol, but non-vegetarian food, drugs, and alcohol saturate modern society. We want to meditate, but there are numerous interruptions and distractions to keep us from meditating.
We need to be like a tree that can grow strong in the soil despite the elements around it. When a young tree is planted, a small fence or wooden stakes are planted around it to keep it safe from animals or winds that can knock it down.
We need a small fence around ourselves so our budding spiritual growth can flourish. In this way, it will not be knocked down by the winds that keep us from the goal. “Satsang” or spiritual gatherings provide us that protection. Satsang provides us with a protective hedge that helps our tree of spirituality grow. When new to spiritual teachings it is easy to become diverted from our goal by many temptations that bombard us.
Satsang puts us in touch with like-minded people who want to know God. Within that fence, we are nourished by the nutrients of meditation and ethical living. We stay focused on these activities so no outside elements can deter us from growing spiritually. Satsang is a place in which we can find answers to and deepen our understanding of the spiritual teachings. Thus, we can remain safe from falling prey to negative characteristics.
At satsang our growing tree receives the nourishment of the charging and blessings of the saint. It helps to speed our progress on the spiritual path so we can attain our goal of the soul’s union with God.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj is an internationally recognized spiritual Master who teaches the oneness at the heart of all religions, emphasizing meditation on the inner Light and Sound of God as building blocks for achieving spiritual illumination. Social, civic, and religious leaders throughout the world have praised Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj for his deep wisdom and efforts in promoting inner and outer peace. Visit our website at www.sos.org
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