The way reached by action

Very often a man is apt to think that it is study and meditation and prayer which alone can bring man to the way leading to the Goal, but it must be understood that there is a great deal done by action. Few indeed know what power one’s action has upon one’s life, what power a right act can give and what effect a wrong action can have. What man is concerned with is only what others think of his actions, instead of thinking what God thinks of them. If man knew what effect an act produces upon himself, he would understand that if a murderer has escaped the hands of the policeman, he has not escaped from the fault he has done, for he cannot escape his self; the greatest judge is sitting in his own heart. He cannot hide his acts from himself. No doubt it is difficult, almost impossible, for a man to judge the acts of another person, for man knows not what is the condition of another, but man can best judge himself. Man, however wicked, is not pleased himself with his wrong actions, and if he is pleased for a moment, this pleasure will not continue.

There is a natural sense in man which distinguishes between right and wrong, just and unjust.

But, one might ask, what is right and what is wrong? No one can stamp any deed as right or wrong, but there is a natural sense in man which distinguishes between right and wrong, just and unjust, a sense which is even in the child; he also sees the line and colour in art and decoration; he sees if the tablecloth is not laid straight on the table, when a line that should be straight is not straight. Even a child knows when things should be harmonious in line and colour. There is a natural tendency in the heart of man, the natural instrument that masons use for building a house.

Different religions have taught different morals and it was right for the multitude for that time. No doubt the law of the masses must be respected, but the real conception of right and wrong lies in one’s deepest self. The soul is not pleased with that which is not right. The soul’s satisfaction is always something which gives it entire happiness. The whole method is based on the practice not only of thought, but of action. All religions have been based not only on the truth, but on action. Things, whether material or spiritual, have been accomplished by action. For the mystic therefore action is the most important thing. During my travelling from place to place, having come in contact with different people, having had the opportunity of staying with them, I have met some who perhaps have never in their lives read a book of theology or studied mysticism, their whole life having been spent in their work, their business and industry, and yet I have felt that spiritual advancement made naturally by their right action in life. They had come to a state of purity which perhaps another might find in the way of study and meditation.

Coming to the subject of action one might ask, what is the best way, the best road to take in everyday life, that might lead one to the Ideal of life? The best way of action is to consider harmony as the first principle to be observed; that in all circumstances and situations and conditions to try to harmonize with one’s fellow-creatures. It is easy to say, but most difficult to live–it is not always easy to harmonize. But if we question ourselves why it is so difficult, the answer is that it is not always that other people are difficult and not pliable, it is we ourselves – we cannot bend. The palm tree that grows straight up, and the stem of which is so straight and strong, with all its strength and goodness, cannot harmonize with the other trees. There are many good people, but they are not harmonious. There are many true people, but their truth is not always comforting. They may tell the truth, which is like a slap given to a person. They are just like the palm tree, straight and righteous and at the same time inharmonious. An harmonious person can bend, is pliable, he can meet with another. No doubt in order to harmonize one has to make sacrifice, one has to bend to people to whom one does not want to bend; one has to be more pliable than one is by nature, one has to be more clever than one really is; and all these efforts will not succeed unless one makes an effort, unless one realizes that harmony is the most essential thing in life.

Why does a mystic give such great importance to harmony? Because for a mystic his whole life is one continuous symphony, a playing of music, each soul contributing his particular part in this music. The success therefore depends upon the ideal of harmony the person has. Very few people in the world give attention to harmony. They do not know that without this there is no chance of being happy. It is only the harmonious ones who can make others happy and partake of that happiness. Otherwise it is hard to find happiness in this world. The fighter has no peace; battles will be ever increasing. It is the peacemaker who is blessed. No doubt in order to make peace he will have to fight with himself and so will he be able to make peace with others. Whatever a person’s education or position in life, he may possess all he wants, but if there is one thing lacking in his life and heart, nothing can bring him peace. Think of what value it would be if one knew what a thing it is to create harmony, what the main thing is in life, in everything one thinks and does.