Honesty is a universally appreciated virtue, and, along with purity, is a measure of the quality of a soul. One who seeks to become a better person — someone who is valued and respected — aims to be honest and trustworthy in their relationships. However, the degree of honesty varies among people.
We are pure to the extent that we are honest. Honesty is the main aspect of purity. Simply being celibate is not the highest stage of purity. To be pure means to be noble, authentic, or honest. Those with an honest heart win the hearts of others, including God, who is known as the comforter of hearts, and in return are blessed with contentment.
Honest and trustworthy souls are virtuous in their thoughts, words and deeds. If we act wilfully, according to our whims or under the influence of bad company, and waste our time or energy, we cannot claim to be honest or trustworthy.
If we keep thinking of others — dwelling on their faults or being attracted by someone – instead of being introspective, or take our arrogance to be our self-respect, we are far from being honest or trustworthy.
Our talents, virtues and other resources are meant for serving the world, and when we use them otherwise, it is as though we are misappropriating something entrusted to us. Being honest is the pinnacle of purity. Each of us can check to what extent we are honest.
Another quality of an honest soul is that they have good wishes and elevated feelings for everyone. They live to serve, and are humble.
Because of their virtues, honest souls are strong within and constantly progress in life. Such a person is free of pretence, because of which they remain free of many kinds of mental burdens. Sincerity facilitates self-improvement, but sometimes we hide our weaknesses and true intentions from others. Driven by a selfish motive, we present our case before them with clever embellishments.
We think we are being smart, but this is naivety. Why? Because such dishonesty may bring some temporary gain, but it scars the soul for all time by corroding our character. As a result, we will never be able to attain complete peace of mind.
Being honest also means that our state of mind, our idea of our self, our attitudes and beliefs, are based on lived truth, which is the experience acquired by practising spiritual principles in one’s life.
If that is not the case, we will fluctuate with changing situations, racked by doubt and troubled by trivial matters. This will not allow us to become stable.
B.K. Mruthyunjaya is Executive Secretary of the Brahma Kumaris.
