TELLING LIES IS THE MOST COMMON DISEASE

Millions of people, right at this moment, might be praying to the God, performing some religious activity, listening to some so called spiritual discourse, going through the pages of some scriptures or discussing about some lofty ideals of life, but only an extremely few of them may be free from the habit of telling lies in their day to day lives. Only those who are well settled into the habit of speaking truth in their daily transactions of life are fit to get involved in any kind of spiritual process.

One tells a lie either to satisfy some of his selfish needs or if he lacks courage to face the hardships caused by the reactions of others because of his status, or his thoughts, actions or the words that are not acceptable to others. In general, lack of courage and selfishness are the two prime reasons that compel one to tell lies. The one who cannot overcome the deficiencies of timidity and selfishness cannot make any progress in a process of spiritual advancement. Further, habit of telling lies in transactions of one’s daily life is, generally, an indication of his overindulgence in the materialistic affairs of life, which happens to be a great hindrance in his spiritual advancement.

As such, untruth of any kind obstructs spiritual growth, but human efforts to satisfy his basic needs cannot also be undermined. Most human societies are still lacking in social justice. Those who suffer due to social injustice may often resort to telling lies to safeguard their selfish interests relating to their basic needs. So much so that they may even form a habit of telling lies. However, such habit of telling lies is reversible. A right spiritual process may help those who suffer due to social injustice in gaining enough courage and tenacity to protest against the social injustice through means that do not harm others. However, those who tell lies to serve their selfish interests, not because of their needs, but to satisfy their greed cannot grow spiritually unless they altogether leave the habit of telling lies and undergo penance to purify them. Such people whose selfish actions (including that of telling lies) are on account of their greed may, knowingly or unknowingly, cause harm to others. They possess violent minds. One with a violent mind has all the potential to become an oppressor or he is already an oppressor.

Obstructing the path, courageously, but, without any intention to cause harm to anybody, of those who harm others due to their greed even by making use of untruthful words is not only socially justified but spiritually consistent as well.

Telling lies is the most common disease, which is contagious also, in the modern world that is characterized by much competitiveness. This disease must not be overlooked. All possible efforts must be made at all levels to eradicate it.

PROMOD KUMAR SHARMA

[The writer of this blog is also the author of “Mahatma A Scientist of the Intuitively Obvious” and “In Search of Our Wonderful Words”.]