by Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha
Part 1
If we put aside the misconceptions about what sainthood is, we find it is rather easy for most anyone to be a saint. The purpose of this discourse is to show how just a slight shift in one's attention or intention towards 'goodness' can significantly alter one's life for the positive.
More to the point, it is hoped that all can see that there is no real chasm between people and saints—each of us has saintliness within and is closer to being a saint than one may believe. It is the aim of this article to inspire readers to feel more of their saintliness more of the time and see life from an entirely new outlook. Thus, you will be amazed how charged life can be, how meaningful, delightful life can easily become.
One semantic note for agnostics and atheists-the use of the word, 'God' can be substituted for whatever word or concept that you believe in. For example, some believe in a presence rather than a form of God. Others believe that nature is the higher power. Still others just call it some mystical something. The point here is not to force a definition or belief of God on readers, but rather, to suggest a universal notion that can bring health, harmony and peace to anyone of any belief. Please try to find the universal message here and not get stuck in semantics.
It is not important that one succeed in their efforts (i.e., living these qualities day in and day out), but rather that we at least make a sincere effort to try. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says it is everyone's duty to try to do honorable or dutiful action, however the success or failure of the attempt is in God's hands. Just try and leave the results to God.
By simply and sincerely trying, one finds instant upliftment and raised self-worth. The attempt to follow one or more positive habits is the highest of medicines. The reason it is so easy to experience upliftment is because the mind is-even if for a moment-focused on God or Godly behavior. The Vedas tell us that as we think so we become. Further, it is said that when people just speak about God, God takes a seat in that conversation. God is so all-loving that all it takes to become closer to God.
In the Sri Ramacharitamanasa-the exploits of Lord Rama-the author Tulsidas states that his words and poetry are of poor quality, but he recognizes that just by speaking about God, God makes improves his story and makes him appear to be a better writer than he really is. It was Tulsidas' humble statement that inspired this present discourse.
In the first chapter, Tulsidas notes discusses the value of meditating on the name of God. Using an analogy he says fire is latent in wood and can be realized by repeatedly causing friction (i.e., rubbing two sticks together) fire is revealed. Like this, although God is within all people's hearts, still they have misery. So by constantly repeating the name of God, He is revealed.
To take this analogy a step further, within each person are inherent saintly qualities. While perhaps seeming far fetched, repeated rememberance of God and Godly qualities and and actions, saintly personality is revealed. This is the point of this discourse, to inspire all to realize this is possible and to begin to take actions to reveal these qualities in yourselves.
So to summarize, just by discussing or trying to do something a little better, a little nobler, remembering God a little more often, those higher, nobler things charge us with those feelings. God infuses us with His inspiration. It is the attempt towards these qualities that develops saintly qualities. And due to the power of these qualities alone affecting us, it is not as difficult to act and feel more saintly as one would first believe.
With this introduction, let us look at 10 misconceptions about saints to help remove doubts to improving one's life. Then we will look at the 10 ways to become more saintly. Following even one of these ways will bring the desired result.
Misconceptions
1. Saints must perform miracles
2. Saints never get angry
3. Saints don't display human emotions
4. Saints don't get sick
5. Saints wear special 'holy' clothes
6. Saints remain unmarried
7. Saints never have children
8. Saints never make mistakes or fail at anything
9. Saints only do literal holy things
10. Saints never watch TV or movies
Misconceptions Discussed
1. Saints must perform miracles
Miracles like instantly appearing in another part of the world, flying, manifesting objects in one's hand are discussed in the Vedas as traps to spiritual growth, not signs of Self-realization. At times one may find some power operating within them, such as knowing the future or past, but are cautioned to just accept this as a sign one is on the right path. However it is strongly warned not to try to develop these powers.
There are 3 life-realms, the physical world, the astral world and the seed of both. Beyond this is the eternal Soul. Powers and miracles are found in the astral world. Focusing on this realm locks the ego into this realm which, although fantastic, is still in the relative world: it blocks one from developing towards the eternal Soul.
So people may perform miracles and forget about developing their highest spiritual qualities. Thus, seeing or performing miracles is not considered anything saintly or holy in the Vedas.
2. Saints never get angry
In an earlier article I wrote about the notion of good anger as described in Atharva Veda. Often people project a false notion that a saintly person never gets angry. What they are looking for is someone who says it is ok to do whatever you like-someone who does not correct or protect, but rather just says "yes".
This is clearly not a responsible, compassionate action to let people do things that will hurt themselves just because they don't want to hear the word 'no'. Saints do have the qualities of compassion and responsibility, so proper anger may be displayed. For example sometimes yelling at your children to protect them (e.g., 'don't touch the hot stove') is necessary. So we dispel the second misconception.
3. Saints don't display human emotions
A saint is a saint because of inner realization of some higher, lighter, eternal state. But people by definition have personalities. Often people equate sainthood with zombie-hood. This world is full of diversity and our job is to find the unity in all this diversity. But the unity is the eternal state, not the homogenization of the relative world.
Once a saint came to a village. The people gathered around and asked for help. There was a cobra snake at the edge of the village who would hiss and bite all who passed by. The saint said he would help and went and spoke to the snake. He asked the snake to cease from biting the people. The snake agreed and the saint continued on his journey.
As it happened, when the people saw the cobra was no longer a threat, they began to taunt it. When the snake did not respond, the people began to throw stones and sticks at the cobra.
One day the saint returned to the village and saw the wounded state of the cobra. He asked what had happened and the snake related how now he was being abused by the villagers. The saint replied, 'I asked you not to bite the people, I didn't say stop hissing.'
So one shouldn't confuse personality with Soul.
4. Saints don't get sick
This is the same idea as point 3. The physical body must obey the laws of nature. Of course if someone is developing powers, then they may allay physical illness, but generally saints don't like to draw attention to themselves by showing magic-they like to appear as normal and blend into the crowd.
Some of the greatest saints have had severe illnesses. Ramakrishna had throat cancer. The doctors told him if he stopped giving discourses it would heal, but he said he didn't care about the throat, his purpose was to speak with people. The soul is stainless; the body is only a vessel to realize the perfected soul.
5. Saints wear special 'holy' clothes
Again, outer appearances have little to do with inner reality. Wearing a dress doesn't make a man a woman. From another point, people can dress in the religious robes, pretending in order to steal your money-the wolf in sheep's clothing story (or sinner in saint's clothing in this case).
The maxim, 'you can't judge a book by its cover'-although no longer followed in the publishing world-is applicable here. Honest, hard-working, compassionate people are people of God. They may have to wear a suit or dress to work, but this has no influence on their inner values. It is difficult to describe outer qualities to a saint. Saintliness of one's self and of others must be determined from within.
6. and 7. Saints remain unmarried and never have children
If everyone remained a celibate monk, the civilization would die out in less than a century. There is a principle of mental sainthood. That is, people who live in the world, but do not get drowned in the world. They view marriage as a way to help one another to go to God together, and raising children to be honest, productive members of the next generation.
Meeting these responsibilities are spiritual duties. All too often people cry for divorce because their spouse is not "spiritual", or their married life keeps them from spiritual things. This is almost always a cry of escapism. There is a time, later in life, when children are grown and have their own children. For parents to live and reflect on more literal spiritual matters-it is build into life and culture.
At each stage of life there are a different set of responsibilities. Follow your responsibilities for each stage. This is saintly action.
This is the same idea as point 3. The physical body must obey the laws of nature. Of course if someone is developing powers, then they may allay physical illness, but generally saints don't like to draw attention to themselves by showing magic-they like to appear as normal and blend into the crowd.
Some of the greatest saints have had severe illnesses. Ramakrishna had throat cancer. The doctors told him if he stopped giving discourses it would heal, but he said he didn't care about the throat, his purpose was to speak with people. The soul is stainless; the body is only a vessel to realize the perfected soul.
8. Saints never make mistakes or fail at anything
This also relates to the notion that only the soul is perfect and humans by nature may not succeed at things. As mentioned above, in the Gita Lord Krishna reminds Arjuna not to focus on the results of actions, but merely to follow dutiful action. Success does not relate to saintliness, rather, attempting saintly actions is saintly. Being even in success or failure too is a saintly action. But the results are credited to God.
Forget the future no matter how pleasant
Let the dead past bury its dead
Live, live in the present
Love within and God overhead
9. Saints only do literal holy things
The point here is that it is not what you do but how you do it. It is not that something is inherently bad or good, but how you use it. Money is not necessarily bad. If you use it to feed, clothe, shelter, if you donate to help the less fortunate, where is the harm? The internet and computers may be the most material of things in our lives. Yet, we use it to educate others about Ayurveda and spirituality. How can this be bad?
Again, it is impossible to judge a person's spirituality based on literal events in life. I know a stock broker who sees his working with the market as an intensely spiritual practice that helps him with balancing his emotions and with detachment. So whatever you choose to do, do it with good intentions. Do it for the joy you receive and see if it can't help another as well.
10. Saints never watch TV or movies
This relates to point 9. Media is not inherently evil. One can watch movies about the Dalai Lama and see TV epics like the Ramayana. Yet on a less literal note, any movie or TV show that uplifts, educates, instills values, is also helpful.
Summary
It is hoped that by now readers should have found some of their inner qualities to shine through the old, or at least see the crumbling of misconceptions regarding what are saintly qualities. Saintliness is not something foreign or outside oneself-it is not something given only to a few people. Nor is it like some delayed package to be delivered later in life, or in some future life that reads, "Do not open until worthy".
With the clearing of the rocks of misconception, we can now proceed with the laying of the foundation of saintliness in your life. Part 2 discusses in detail the 10 secrets to achieving sainthood. Of course there is a slight tongue in cheek aspect to this, as saints do not speak of their own saintliness. You will have missed the point of this discourse if you go around telling everyone you are a saint. Be simple and humble and work on developing good qualities.
Part 1
If we put aside the misconceptions about what sainthood is, we find it is rather easy for most anyone to be a saint. The purpose of this discourse is to show how just a slight shift in one's attention or intention towards 'goodness' can significantly alter one's life for the positive.
More to the point, it is hoped that all can see that there is no real chasm between people and saints—each of us has saintliness within and is closer to being a saint than one may believe. It is the aim of this article to inspire readers to feel more of their saintliness more of the time and see life from an entirely new outlook. Thus, you will be amazed how charged life can be, how meaningful, delightful life can easily become.
One semantic note for agnostics and atheists-the use of the word, 'God' can be substituted for whatever word or concept that you believe in. For example, some believe in a presence rather than a form of God. Others believe that nature is the higher power. Still others just call it some mystical something. The point here is not to force a definition or belief of God on readers, but rather, to suggest a universal notion that can bring health, harmony and peace to anyone of any belief. Please try to find the universal message here and not get stuck in semantics.
It is not important that one succeed in their efforts (i.e., living these qualities day in and day out), but rather that we at least make a sincere effort to try. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says it is everyone's duty to try to do honorable or dutiful action, however the success or failure of the attempt is in God's hands. Just try and leave the results to God.
By simply and sincerely trying, one finds instant upliftment and raised self-worth. The attempt to follow one or more positive habits is the highest of medicines. The reason it is so easy to experience upliftment is because the mind is-even if for a moment-focused on God or Godly behavior. The Vedas tell us that as we think so we become. Further, it is said that when people just speak about God, God takes a seat in that conversation. God is so all-loving that all it takes to become closer to God.
In the Sri Ramacharitamanasa-the exploits of Lord Rama-the author Tulsidas states that his words and poetry are of poor quality, but he recognizes that just by speaking about God, God makes improves his story and makes him appear to be a better writer than he really is. It was Tulsidas' humble statement that inspired this present discourse.
In the first chapter, Tulsidas notes discusses the value of meditating on the name of God. Using an analogy he says fire is latent in wood and can be realized by repeatedly causing friction (i.e., rubbing two sticks together) fire is revealed. Like this, although God is within all people's hearts, still they have misery. So by constantly repeating the name of God, He is revealed.
To take this analogy a step further, within each person are inherent saintly qualities. While perhaps seeming far fetched, repeated rememberance of God and Godly qualities and and actions, saintly personality is revealed. This is the point of this discourse, to inspire all to realize this is possible and to begin to take actions to reveal these qualities in yourselves.
So to summarize, just by discussing or trying to do something a little better, a little nobler, remembering God a little more often, those higher, nobler things charge us with those feelings. God infuses us with His inspiration. It is the attempt towards these qualities that develops saintly qualities. And due to the power of these qualities alone affecting us, it is not as difficult to act and feel more saintly as one would first believe.
With this introduction, let us look at 10 misconceptions about saints to help remove doubts to improving one's life. Then we will look at the 10 ways to become more saintly. Following even one of these ways will bring the desired result.
Misconceptions
1. Saints must perform miracles
2. Saints never get angry
3. Saints don't display human emotions
4. Saints don't get sick
5. Saints wear special 'holy' clothes
6. Saints remain unmarried
7. Saints never have children
8. Saints never make mistakes or fail at anything
9. Saints only do literal holy things
10. Saints never watch TV or movies
Misconceptions Discussed
1. Saints must perform miracles
Miracles like instantly appearing in another part of the world, flying, manifesting objects in one's hand are discussed in the Vedas as traps to spiritual growth, not signs of Self-realization. At times one may find some power operating within them, such as knowing the future or past, but are cautioned to just accept this as a sign one is on the right path. However it is strongly warned not to try to develop these powers.
There are 3 life-realms, the physical world, the astral world and the seed of both. Beyond this is the eternal Soul. Powers and miracles are found in the astral world. Focusing on this realm locks the ego into this realm which, although fantastic, is still in the relative world: it blocks one from developing towards the eternal Soul.
So people may perform miracles and forget about developing their highest spiritual qualities. Thus, seeing or performing miracles is not considered anything saintly or holy in the Vedas.
2. Saints never get angry
In an earlier article I wrote about the notion of good anger as described in Atharva Veda. Often people project a false notion that a saintly person never gets angry. What they are looking for is someone who says it is ok to do whatever you like-someone who does not correct or protect, but rather just says "yes".
This is clearly not a responsible, compassionate action to let people do things that will hurt themselves just because they don't want to hear the word 'no'. Saints do have the qualities of compassion and responsibility, so proper anger may be displayed. For example sometimes yelling at your children to protect them (e.g., 'don't touch the hot stove') is necessary. So we dispel the second misconception.
3. Saints don't display human emotions
A saint is a saint because of inner realization of some higher, lighter, eternal state. But people by definition have personalities. Often people equate sainthood with zombie-hood. This world is full of diversity and our job is to find the unity in all this diversity. But the unity is the eternal state, not the homogenization of the relative world.
Once a saint came to a village. The people gathered around and asked for help. There was a cobra snake at the edge of the village who would hiss and bite all who passed by. The saint said he would help and went and spoke to the snake. He asked the snake to cease from biting the people. The snake agreed and the saint continued on his journey.
As it happened, when the people saw the cobra was no longer a threat, they began to taunt it. When the snake did not respond, the people began to throw stones and sticks at the cobra.
One day the saint returned to the village and saw the wounded state of the cobra. He asked what had happened and the snake related how now he was being abused by the villagers. The saint replied, 'I asked you not to bite the people, I didn't say stop hissing.'
So one shouldn't confuse personality with Soul.
4. Saints don't get sick
This is the same idea as point 3. The physical body must obey the laws of nature. Of course if someone is developing powers, then they may allay physical illness, but generally saints don't like to draw attention to themselves by showing magic-they like to appear as normal and blend into the crowd.
Some of the greatest saints have had severe illnesses. Ramakrishna had throat cancer. The doctors told him if he stopped giving discourses it would heal, but he said he didn't care about the throat, his purpose was to speak with people. The soul is stainless; the body is only a vessel to realize the perfected soul.
5. Saints wear special 'holy' clothes
Again, outer appearances have little to do with inner reality. Wearing a dress doesn't make a man a woman. From another point, people can dress in the religious robes, pretending in order to steal your money-the wolf in sheep's clothing story (or sinner in saint's clothing in this case).
The maxim, 'you can't judge a book by its cover'-although no longer followed in the publishing world-is applicable here. Honest, hard-working, compassionate people are people of God. They may have to wear a suit or dress to work, but this has no influence on their inner values. It is difficult to describe outer qualities to a saint. Saintliness of one's self and of others must be determined from within.
6. and 7. Saints remain unmarried and never have children
If everyone remained a celibate monk, the civilization would die out in less than a century. There is a principle of mental sainthood. That is, people who live in the world, but do not get drowned in the world. They view marriage as a way to help one another to go to God together, and raising children to be honest, productive members of the next generation.
Meeting these responsibilities are spiritual duties. All too often people cry for divorce because their spouse is not "spiritual", or their married life keeps them from spiritual things. This is almost always a cry of escapism. There is a time, later in life, when children are grown and have their own children. For parents to live and reflect on more literal spiritual matters-it is build into life and culture.
At each stage of life there are a different set of responsibilities. Follow your responsibilities for each stage. This is saintly action.
This is the same idea as point 3. The physical body must obey the laws of nature. Of course if someone is developing powers, then they may allay physical illness, but generally saints don't like to draw attention to themselves by showing magic-they like to appear as normal and blend into the crowd.
Some of the greatest saints have had severe illnesses. Ramakrishna had throat cancer. The doctors told him if he stopped giving discourses it would heal, but he said he didn't care about the throat, his purpose was to speak with people. The soul is stainless; the body is only a vessel to realize the perfected soul.
8. Saints never make mistakes or fail at anything
This also relates to the notion that only the soul is perfect and humans by nature may not succeed at things. As mentioned above, in the Gita Lord Krishna reminds Arjuna not to focus on the results of actions, but merely to follow dutiful action. Success does not relate to saintliness, rather, attempting saintly actions is saintly. Being even in success or failure too is a saintly action. But the results are credited to God.
Forget the future no matter how pleasant
Let the dead past bury its dead
Live, live in the present
Love within and God overhead
9. Saints only do literal holy things
The point here is that it is not what you do but how you do it. It is not that something is inherently bad or good, but how you use it. Money is not necessarily bad. If you use it to feed, clothe, shelter, if you donate to help the less fortunate, where is the harm? The internet and computers may be the most material of things in our lives. Yet, we use it to educate others about Ayurveda and spirituality. How can this be bad?
Again, it is impossible to judge a person's spirituality based on literal events in life. I know a stock broker who sees his working with the market as an intensely spiritual practice that helps him with balancing his emotions and with detachment. So whatever you choose to do, do it with good intentions. Do it for the joy you receive and see if it can't help another as well.
10. Saints never watch TV or movies
This relates to point 9. Media is not inherently evil. One can watch movies about the Dalai Lama and see TV epics like the Ramayana. Yet on a less literal note, any movie or TV show that uplifts, educates, instills values, is also helpful.
Summary
It is hoped that by now readers should have found some of their inner qualities to shine through the old, or at least see the crumbling of misconceptions regarding what are saintly qualities. Saintliness is not something foreign or outside oneself-it is not something given only to a few people. Nor is it like some delayed package to be delivered later in life, or in some future life that reads, "Do not open until worthy".
With the clearing of the rocks of misconception, we can now proceed with the laying of the foundation of saintliness in your life. Part 2 discusses in detail the 10 secrets to achieving sainthood. Of course there is a slight tongue in cheek aspect to this, as saints do not speak of their own saintliness. You will have missed the point of this discourse if you go around telling everyone you are a saint. Be simple and humble and work on developing good qualities.
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