Truth (SATYA)
Truth
is THAT which is Real. Truthfulness means the conformity
of the mind with that which is Real. That which is undeniable is Real.
By ‘undeniable’ it is meant that which cannot be altered or destroyed. That which
is Real is permanent, and that which is unreal is impermanent.
By its very nature,
the mind is changeable and impermanent. The mind is an element of Avidya
(Ignorance) and hence is unstable by nature. It is the nature of the mind to undergo
modification. When all the modifications of the mind are suspended, the mind seems
to disappear, as for example, in the state of deep, dreamless sleep and in the
Yogic state of Samadhi.
Truthfulness is
the practice of keeping the mind under control. It is the process
of making the mind conform to the nature of the Self (Atman) which is permanent.
When one excels in this practice, one is said to have attained the higher state
of Samadhi (Nirvikalpa or Nirvichara Samadhi).
Actually, this Samadhi occurs when the mind is made to conform to the Unmanifest
Prakriti, which like the Self is also permanent. The
highest Samadhi (Nirbija, or seedless Samadhi), and
finally the state of Kaivalya (Isolation), occurs only
when the living self stands clear of Prakriti and is established in Purush
(the Spirit Self), completely isolated from Avidya (Ignorance).
This is the state of Tapa Loka, and beyond this is the absolute Truth, or SATYAM, which
is attained when the Self alone is sacrificed into the Self alone by the Self
alone. This is Atman pervaded by Paramatman, and is
our Original Self.
To practice truthfulness,
we must shape our mind to resemble our Soul (our Original Self, ATMAN). This involves
much work. Eventually it becomes an effortless effort.
Being
static by nature, the mind has the tendency to go against our Real Nature: it
has the tendency to be lazy, the tendency to be fickle, the tendency to make excuses,
the tendency to procrastinate, and so forth. To counteract these tendencies it
is necessary to shape the mind with wisdom and train it with self-discipline.
We must be both earnest and energetic. We also need to develop an attitude of
humility to counteract our ego which tends to make our mind ‘run out the mouth’
and run to excitements and pleasures which can cause our ruination.
One who practices truthfulness will also practice humility,
which means they will practice keeping their ego in check. If we are in our ego,
we are not being truthful. Even if we are speaking the truth, if we are in our
ego we are being untruthful.
Anyone who
acts in violation of Dharma (who acts contrary to their Real Nature, ATMAN), is
not being truthful. People who injure others by treating them as objects are vile
liars. For example, people who lust over the bodies, wealth, power, and popularity
of others are betraying their Real Nature and are traitors. A traitor is one who
betrays the principles of Consciousness; in other words, he is a liar who uses
his mind for the wrong purpose: a wrong purpose is a selfish one which causes
harm to one’s self and the well-being of others.
The
mind exists for the purpose of Enlightenment. If we are not raising consciousness
(if we are not expanding the mind) we are not being honest with ourselves. Also,
if we are honoring those who are dishonorable, we are also being dishonest with
ourselves.
Truthfulness resides in Truth;
it does not reside in the images of the mind. Satisfying our mental images of
Truth does NOT constitute truthfulness; it constitutes self-deception. A person
practicing self-deception becomes self-deluded. A self-deluded person hears the
truth and calls it a lie; he speaks a lie and calls it the truth.
To understand the Truth one has to practice it. To practice
it ones has to learn it. To learn it one has to hear it. To hear it one has to
be quiet; one has to make the mind still. To become quiet one has to become humble.
To become humble one has to give up ego. To give up ego one has to be honest and
recognize it. The Wise guide us to recognize our own ego without giving it recognition.
When we fully understand the Truth we will
fully understand ourselves. This can only happen by purifying the mind so that
it clearly reflects the Light of the Soul (the Wisdom of Consciousness).
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