Never hurt anyone, even in your dreams

A mystic sang in hindi:“Darte raho yeh jindagi bekaar na ho jai; Swapn mai bhi kisi jiv ka apkaar na ho jai”. Translation: “Be fearful that this life is not wasted, even in the dreams someone is not hurt.”

There are two aspects of serving others: one is to avoid hurting others by means of words, actions or thoughts; and other is to do good to others by all means. If you try to stay away from hurting anyone, the other part of ‘doing good to others’ happens on its own because that is your true nature. Try to refrain from negative thoughts even against your enemies.   In Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva told his wife: “Uma sant ki yahi badaii , mand kare so kare bhalayi”

Translation: “Uma, the only praise of a Saint is that would do good even if someone tried to hurt him.”

A true seeker always remains watchful of his words, action and thoughts, so as not to hurt anyone. Being vigilant in such a manner is an important aspect of seeking inner happiness. A selfish being, who is greedy, jealous and self centered, cannot do any good even to his own life.

Another mystic recited: “Par hit sam nahi dharma hai bhai, par pidan sam nahi adhmahi.”

Translation: “There is no religion like serving others; there is no foolishness like hurting others.”

Some of us might argue that we don’t harm anyone. It might be true that you don’t harm anyone physically however you might have hurt someone with your words or your thoughts. It is not the action, but the intention behind the actions that matters. A wrong intention adds to the layers of ignorance that prevents the revelation of inner happiness; whereas a good intention brings you closer to your own true Self.

A few others would give an excuse that we would serve a saint or a good person when I come across one. My dear friend, you might not be able to find such a saint because you started judging people. Just serve everyone without any judgment. If you are not able to serve physically, a sincere good wish is enough.

A true seeker serves everyone by means of his sincere good wishes: May the peace resides in the world and in the heart of every being; May every being on this earth lives a healthy and happy life. As long as you remain vigilant of your negative thoughts and refrain from hurting any living being (including birds, animals and insects) even in your thoughts, you would surely progress in your quest of inner peace. The inner divinity will reveal itself on its own; your true nature of Sat-Chit-Ananda will reveal itself on its own.