We have to stop making excuses for holding on to our images. It is NOT respectable to give respect and adoration to one whose actions are reprehensible.

Soul is good—there is no doubt about this—but people (persons) are only good when they understand the basis of goodness, when they know the fundamentals of consciousness, when they know and practice the basics of sound mental and physical health. Otherwise, people are messed up. A person whose conduct is reprehensible and ugly, whose actions are condemnable (as in the case of child molesters, rapists, debauchers, whores, murderers, liars, cheats, and the like)—that person is not worthy of respect, rather, such a person is to be reproached (if he is worthy of advice), or avoided, or in extreme cases (like that of child molestors, rapists, and murderers) incarcerated or if necessary, even exterminated.

During this Kali Yuga, the world is infested with selfish people. The mind is infected with the disease of ego. Ignorance (of the soul) is rampant. The materialistic attitude prevails everywhere, even in the realm of spirituality. Teachers preach but don’t practice. Students memorize but don’t internalize. The disease of self-centeredness has infected the minds of one and all alike. The mentality of ego, the mentality of me-my-mine has made the mind thick and the heart heavy.

There is a way out—it is the way within. We have to stop looking outside of ourselves for happiness. We have to go beyond the mind. To go beyond the mind we have to ‘take the lead’, we have to guide our mind in the right direction (inward). We have to direct the mind to think good thoughts and to follow through with good actions. Good thoughts and actions are those which are conducive to all-round health and well-being. Those thoughts and actions which are detrimental to sound mental and physical health must be discarded.

This process of purification will clarify the mind to the point where the mind becomes crystal clear. With a clear mind and conscience we can grasp the subtle truth and will never fall a victim to manmade lies and superstitions. Once we have ‘washed our brains’ we will no longer be brainwashed by the false propaganda of materialism—we will have a firm conviction in the supremacy of the Soul and never again believe in the false promises and propositions of the ego.

The one who lives in the Light of Wisdom knows no darkness. The Golden Age begins here and now—when we give up all our old grudges, negative feelings, let-downs, and expectations. The seasons may change; the cycles of time may come and go; the sun, moon, and stars will one day disappear—but the Inner Light will never stop shining.

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