Character and Spirituality

Character and Spirituality

JUST as there is oil in the sesame seed, butter in milk, fragrance in the flower, tasty juice in the fruit, fire in wood, there is Divinity in this vast Universe. The Divine is all pervasive and is present in every being. It is the Divine Power inside that makes it possible for the eyes to see and ears to hear. The entire creation is the expression of the Will Power of God. Prakrithi (Nature) is a manifestation of the Paramatma (Supreme Divine).

Man is born to manifest and reflect Divinity. All constituents of Nature reflect their inherent qualities. Man also has to do so but is not reflecting his innate human quality. Every one should consider devotion and discipline as of the utmost importance – duty comes only next to these two.

You, the youth (both male and female) are intrinsically very good. But you lack in discipline. You should observe good discipline. You should not waste time which is precious and sacred.

How should you utilise the time usefully? You have to follow the ideal path reflecting sacred human values. Nor only that, but you should also inspire and encourage others to follow a disciplined life. Today, people do not understand discipline. They sit in a meeting and go on cheering and clapping when a speaker tells something to please them. This is sheer waste of time and energy. Every second is valuable and should be used well.

Character is the most important life principle to be imbibed. This is the golden period in your life span and if you spoil this fine opportunity in careless living, your future will be ruined. The sapling has to be tended very carefully, so that it could grow into a mighty tree in the right manner and serve the people well. To whatever country you may belong, cultivation of character is essential at any point of time. There is no such thing as American character, Russian character and so on. Character is common to the entire humanity.

There is only one caste, the caste of Humanity;
one language, the language of Heart;
one Religion, the Religion of Love.

In ancient times the youth maintained good character. If you maintain good character, the future generation will prosper. Individual sacredness and purity ensure sacredness of society and country. When all countries are filled with such noble people the world will be blooming with peace and prosperity.

If you say that the world is not a bed of roses but is a place of misery, the fault lies in you, the inhabitants. It is Character that marks the life of a good individual. If you go through history you will find that in the ancient days people were noted for their control of senses. Take the example of Janaka, the great ruler and father of Seetha, offering his daughter in marriage to Rama immediately after the latter broke the Shiva Dhanush (the formidable bow of Shiva), in terms of the proclamation made by him. When Janaka repeatedly asked Rama to look at Seetha and take her hand, Rama looked in a different direction because he should not look at a woman till he tied the wedding knot around her neck. This is the ideal propagated by the great Avatar Rama.

“The End of Education is Character” – Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Glory of Sadachara or Right Conduct By Swami Sivananda Saraswati

by Swami Sivananda

1. A man, who has attached ethical perfection by the continued practice of right conduct or Yama and Niyama, has got a magnetic personality. He can influence millions. Character gives a strong personality to man. People respect a man who has good character. Moral people command respect everywhere. He who is honest, sincere, truthful, kind and liberal-hearted always commands respect and influence at the people. Sattvic virtues make a man Divine. He who speaks truth and practices Brahmacharya becomes a great and dynamic personality. Even if he speaks a word there is power in it and people are magnetized. Character building is of paramount importance if a man wants to develop his personality. No development of a strong personality is possible without celibacy. Personality can be developed. But the practice of virtue is indispensable.

2. A man may die but his character remains. His thoughts remain. It is the character that gives real force and power to man. Character is power. They say knowledge is power but I say with all the emphasis at my command that character is power. Without character the attainment of knowledge is impossible. That man who has no character is practically a dead man in this world. He is ignored and despised by the community. If you want success in life, if you want to influence others, if you want to progress well in the spiritual path, if you wish to have God-realisation, you must possess an unblemished or spotless character. The character of a man survives or outlives him. Sri Sankara, Buddha, Jesus and other Rishis of yore are remembered even now because they had wonderful character. Character is a mighty soul-force. It is like a sweet flower that wafts its fragrance far and wide. A man of noble traits and good character possesses a tremendous personality. Personality is character only. A man may be a skillful artist, a clever songster, an adorable poet or a great scientist, but if he has no character he has no real position in the society.

3. You must be polite, civil and courteous. You must treat others with respect and consideration. Good manners and soft words have brought many a difficult thing to pass. He who gives respect to others gets respect. Humility brings respect by itself. Humility is a virtue that subdues the hearts of others. A man of humility is a powerful magnet or loadstone.

4. Note carefully how the Rishis had given instructions to their students when they had finished their course of study: “Speak the truth. Do your duty. Do not neglect the study of the Vedas. Do not swerve from Truth. Do not swerve from duty. Do not neglect your welfare. Do not neglect your prosperity. Do not neglect the learning and teachings of Vedas. Do not neglect the duties towards God and forefathers. May the Mother be thy God (Matri-devo bhava). May the Father be thy God (Pitri-devo bhava). May the preceptor be thy God (Acharya-devo bhava). May the guest be thy God (Atithi-devo bhava). Do such actions as are blameless. Those that are good works to us, they should be performed by thee, and none else. Those Brahmins that are superior to us, they should be comforted by thee with seats, etc. Give with faith. Do not give without faith. Give with joy, with modesty, with fear, with kindness.”

5. Righteousness is eternal. Do not leave the path of righteousness even if your life is in danger. Do not leave righteousness for the sake of some material gain. A virtuous life and a clean conscience give great deal of comfort to a man while living and at the time of death also. A holy man with piety is far superior to the mighty potentate. God is much pleased with a pious man. Lord Krishna says: “Even if the most sinful worshipeth Me, with undivided heart, he too must be accounted righteous, for he hath rightly resolved.” There is a great hope even for a cutthroat, if he makes a strong determination and takes up the spiritual path.

Character and Spirituality – Foundation of Pure and Divine Living

Character and Spirituality are deeply connected because spiritual life is not proved by words, dress, rituals, or outer appearance alone. Real spirituality must shine through conduct, speech, thought, attitude, and daily choices. A person may chant, read scriptures, visit temples, and speak about God, but if the character is weak, harsh, dishonest, or selfish, the inner life still needs purification.

Character is the visible form of inner values. It shows what a person truly respects, loves, and follows. When truthfulness, compassion, patience, humility, self-control, and purity become natural in daily life, spirituality begins to take root. Without character, spiritual practice remains incomplete, like a lamp without oil.

Character and Spirituality teach that the first temple is the human heart. If the heart is filled with jealousy, anger, greed, pride, and deceit, outer worship cannot give deep peace. The purpose of prayer and meditation is to cleanse the inner being. A pure heart becomes a living shrine where divine grace can be felt more clearly.

Good character begins with truth. Truthfulness gives strength to the mind and simplicity to life. A person who lies, manipulates, or hides selfish motives loses inner peace. Truth may sometimes be difficult, but it protects the soul from fear and confusion. Spiritual growth becomes steady when thought, word, and action become honest.

Self-control is another important part of character. The senses naturally run toward pleasure, comfort, praise, and distraction. If they are not guided, the mind becomes restless and weak. A spiritual seeker must learn moderation in food, speech, entertainment, desire, and reaction. Control does not make life dry; it gives dignity, strength, and freedom.

Character and Spirituality also require compassion. A person who claims devotion but hurts others through words or actions has not understood the spirit of dharma. Kindness is not a small virtue; it is a direct expression of divine awareness. When we see God in all beings, cruelty, insult, and selfishness begin to feel unnatural.

Humility protects spiritual life from pride. Sometimes a little knowledge, a little practice, or a little recognition can make the ego strong. The seeker may begin to feel superior to others. This is dangerous. True spirituality makes a person simple, grateful, and gentle. The more one grows inwardly, the less one wants to display greatness.

Character and Spirituality must be practiced in ordinary situations. It is easy to appear peaceful in a temple or during meditation, but the real test comes in family life, work, relationships, difficulties, and disagreements. How we speak when angry, how we act when no one is watching, and how we treat weaker people reveal the actual condition of the heart.

Spiritual practices are meant to build noble character. Japa should make speech pure. Meditation should make the mind calm. Worship should increase humility. Study should improve discrimination. Service should reduce selfishness. If practices do not change conduct, the seeker should examine whether they are being done mechanically or with sincere feeling.

A person with strong character does not easily fall before temptation. Wealth, pleasure, praise, power, and anger may come, but inner values guide the response. Such a person may still face struggles, but he does not willingly betray truth. This firmness is spiritual strength. It is better than outward show or temporary excitement.

Character and Spirituality also bring harmony into society. Families become peaceful when members practice honesty, patience, forgiveness, and respect. Workplaces become healthier when people act with fairness and responsibility. Communities become stronger when compassion replaces selfishness. Spiritual values are not only personal; they bless everyone around us.

The development of character requires daily self-examination. Before sleep, the seeker may ask, “Did I speak truthfully? Did I hurt anyone? Did I control anger? Did I remember God? Did I act with ego or humility?” Such questions help the mind become alert. Correction begins when one becomes honest with oneself.

Grace is also needed. Human effort is important, but old habits can be strong. Therefore, the seeker should pray for purity, strength, and guidance. A simple prayer like, “O Lord, make my character pure and my heart humble,” can become a powerful support. Divine remembrance slowly weakens lower tendencies and awakens higher qualities.

Character and Spirituality finally lead the seeker toward inner freedom. When character becomes pure, the mind becomes peaceful. When the mind becomes peaceful, meditation becomes deeper. When meditation becomes deeper, the truth of the Self begins to shine. Thus, noble living is not separate from liberation; it is the preparation for it.

In the end, Character and Spirituality are two sides of one sacred life. Spirituality gives direction to character, and character gives strength to spirituality. Through truthfulness, self-control, humility, compassion, prayer, service, and pure conduct, the seeker becomes inwardly refined. Such a life becomes a blessing to the world and a steady path toward peace, wisdom, and liberation.