Having good wishes for others is one of the cornerstones of a charitable life. But it can be difficult to have good wishes for everyone, or at all times. That happens when we lack good wishes for the self. We can give others only what we have. Pure and positive thoughts are prerequisites for wishing others well. This is where spirituality comes in.
Whatever our social or economic status, if we recognise and reflect on the fact that we are souls — spiritual beings who are originally pure, peaceful, and loving — we begin to experience our innate qualities. As this experience fills the soul with purity, peace and love, we are able to share the same with others.
If we look at our circumstances and think, “I am not so good. I keep failing to meet my goals”, such thoughts weaken the soul and hold it back from realising its potential. Instead if we turn our attention inward and tap into the virtues that every soul has, positive thoughts begin to emerge.
Those who make a habit of meditating in this manner are saved from wasteful thinking. Their time is engaged in constructive thoughts, so there is no margin for other kinds of thoughts to arise. Such people automatically become well-wishers for everyone as they are free from thinking ill of others. Since they are upright in character, they tend to see and think of everything in a sanguine way, which is why they have good wishes for everyone. Even when they notice people’s defects, they do not dwell on them or think: ‘This one is always like that anyway’. Instead, they offer them the support of their good wishes and pure feelings.
Wishing others well means giving hope to the hopeless and making the weak strong; it is not being dismissive or contemptuous towards those who have made a mistake or have some shortcoming. It is not enough to just be nice and think well of others. Do we use our resources to serve — with our attitude, feelings, words and behaviour? Or do we busy ourselves with doing a lot by the way of service and at the same time look down on those we serve? Can that be called true service?
Someone who has good wishes helps others forget their weaknesses and inspires them to become better. They would not look at anyone with dislike; they seek to uplift others. Do we serve in this way? This is something worth checking.
B.K. Usha is a Rajyoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Abu Road, Rajasthan.