I want to ask what good deeds are, what bad deeds are, what sin is, and what virtue is. See, the question is undoubtedly simple, but it is kept hidden. Do you understand? We all wonder what qualifies as good deeds.

Firstly, society teaches us about concepts of good and bad. We learn that it is important to tell the truth, which is considered a positive value. Similarly, society has instilled in us the belief that stealing is wrong. Based on these societal norms, you can evaluate situations according to your understanding of what is right and wrong.

Consider your own education and experiences: what values have you absorbed from society about good and bad? If you have a clear understanding of these concepts, there may be no need for further discussion on the topic. However, it’s essential to recognise that, despite these teachings, our minds can often be drawn towards our senses and desires.

When our minds are wandering and distracted, we recognise that it’s not a good state to be in, yet we find ourselves behaving this way. This leads to various disorders, which in turn generate more disorders, causing troubling thoughts to arise. Additionally, these thoughts can create further disruption because our minds continuously latch onto whatever stimuli are present. It’s important to understand that we don’t operate our lives solely through our bodies; we function primarily through our minds. While the body performs actions, the mind drives those actions.

Do you understand? I don’t mean that the eyes, ears, or heart constitute the body when I refer to the body. Instead, I’m referring to our ten senses as the body, while the other parts are merely instruments. For example, our ears are the instruments through which we hear. First, take a moment to think deeply about this: you don’t hear solely with your ears. Have you ever noticed how easily you can become lost in your thoughts? It’s been said that no matter how much noise is around you, such as a loud band playing, you can become so absorbed in your mind that you may not hear anything at all.

You are listening, but the work is done through the mind. First, it’s important to understand that all work originates in the mind, informing our decisions. So, who makes the decisions in life? Primarily, it is the mind that makes these decisions. When the mind says, “Sit here,” you instruct your body to follow, and the body complies. The mind emphasises that we operate through our mental capacities, not merely our physical actions, and make decisions based on mental and physical intelligence.

Physical intelligence refers to the body’s ability to perform tasks guided by the brain. When the body dies, the brain also ceases to function. The knowledge and skills you acquire throughout your education and life experiences belong to this temporary existence. They reside within the brain and will not accompany you after death; instead, the pain and struggles will linger in the mind, which is part of the soul. So, how do we make decisions using our brains and this physical intelligence—based on what we have read and written? Often, society teaches us notions of good and bad, which can create a conflict between the mind and the intellect. For instance, the mind might suggest one course of action, while the intellect advises a different path. This internal debate is a constant process; sometimes, the mind may advocate for laziness, while the intellect urges productivity.

The intellect encourages us to study and make progress, while the mind often tempts us to rest or seek entertainment, such as going to a fair. This ongoing debate between our intellect and our mind is quite common. At times, both may align, leading to a clear decision. It’s crucial to recognize this dynamic and prioritize your intellect. When the mind and intellect are in conflict, the decision made by your intellect is usually the better one. Often, the mind takes charge, leading us to dismiss our intellect. It’s important to understand that if you have a decision to make, especially if it involves something happening tomorrow, trusting the choice made by your intellect is likely to be the right one.

It is essential to prioritize your intellect over your mind. While the mind may propose that stealing is acceptable, the intellect understands that it is not. The intellect guides us toward what is right. Remember that the intellect is logical and capable of making informed decisions. The term “logical mind” refers to the part of your intellect that reasons and makes decisions based on facts and evidence. Therefore, when there is a conflict between your mind and your intellect, it is vital to side with your logical mind. This approach is crucial for making sound decisions in life.

How should you make decisions in life? The key is to first work on your mind. Practice meditation and focus on calming your often-wandering thoughts. With years of practice, you can gain greater control over your mind, which will help you make decisions with a calm and centered perspective. Embrace this concept and reflect on it. If you believe that only the mind thinks, that’s perfectly fine; this belief can help alleviate your struggles. By turning your mind inward, you can bring it under your control. This means recognizing that the soul has no form or shape, just as God does not.

It is energy; it is power. The outer part of the soul can be understood as the mind. But why does the mind exist, and why is it connected to the body? When the soul resides within the body, the body’s senses serve as the mind, allowing them to interact with each other. The soul itself remains safe inside, while the outer layer—the mind—interacts with the body. However, the mind absorbs everything: it feels sorrow, happiness, loss, and gain.

If you are experiencing happiness, who is truly feeling it? Is it your mind, or if you are feeling sadness, who is affected? It is the mind that experiences these emotions. When you turn your focus inward, and the mind is under your control, you can claim, “Now it is mine.” The mind represents your spiritual intelligence, while your physical intelligence is tied to the body and will fade away with it. Spiritual intelligence, which we refer to as conscience, guides your decision-making. You’ve probably heard people say, “Speak the truth.” When I say I am speaking the truth, I mean I am expressing what comes from my conscience. We understand our place in nature, yet often we do not fully recognize it.

The key distinction lies in the meaning of conscience: it involves turning inward to assess what is right or wrong. When your mind is under your control, it can draw decisions from your conscience, while your intellect provides perspective from a societal standpoint on what is considered right or wrong. Decisions made in this way cannot be incorrect; they come from a blend of conscience, spiritual intelligence, and physical intelligence. When the role of the mind concludes, it signifies that the decision-making process has shifted away from mental interference.

There will be no impact on the mind; no impressions will be made, and no samskaras will be imprinted. As a result, you will experience a degree of freedom from the bondage of karma. This is a profound topic. To explain it in simple terms—using a common language that even a child can understand—it revolves around complete knowledge that I’m trying to convey to you. This approach will help you comprehend it scientifically. To explain it in general terms to a child, consider which actions are good and which are bad. Good actions are those that bring you happiness and warmth in your heart.

There cannot be a simpler way than this. It is usual for him to make decisions, but sometimes it can be difficult for him. For example, during periods of religious uncertainty about what to do or what not to do, he may face dilemmas. Imagine a situation where someone is busy harming an animal. When a bystander encounters this scenario, they might be asked, “Did you see the cow?” This raises the question of whether they spoke the truth in that moment. It doesn’t matter if it’s about a cow or any other animal; what truly matters is that our feelings reflect the natural qualities of our soul. I have written about twelve such qualities here.

Love is a natural quality of our soul. Imagine you are on the road in a car, and suddenly a cat runs in front of you. You don’t know the cat, nor the person in the car. If you collide with the cat and it dies, what would your reaction be? Most people would respond similarly, regardless of their background or beliefs. This is simply a reflection of our human nature. Now, let me discuss the crisis of religion and how it relates to making right or wrong decisions. Consider this scenario: you see a cow, and you identify it as a cow, whether it is just a cow or an animal of some sort. Meanwhile, a man is chasing after the cow with the intent to harm it, and the cow has escaped into an alley.

This is your question, isn’t it? The man asks, “Have you seen the cow and the two or three lanes that pass along with it on your way from here?” When he sees the cow or any other animal being killed, which he is chasing, he asks whether you were standing here when you saw the cow leave. Which street did it take? Now your question is, what should be done? Please tell me what is right and what is wrong. Understand that this is a crisis of morality. If you give the wrong answer, you are lying, and that is itself a wrong action. If you lie, you engage in bad karma. This situation—speaking the truth or lying—is also karma. It will have an impact, and you will have to face the consequences of your actions.

If you tell him that the cow is indeed on this street, the life of the cow—or that animal—is in danger. This reflects a significant concern, almost a religious crisis. Now, let me share the story of Buddha. Mahatma Buddha, as the story goes, used to sleep on his side without turning over throughout the night. He feared that if he turned, it might cause the death of an insect or harm to another being.

The mosquito should be allowed to live. I had to wake up in the morning in the same position I had slept in, ensuring that no small or large insect, including mosquitoes, would die if I turned to my side. Mahavir Jain would tie a cloth over his mouth so that he wouldn’t even speak to his mother-in-law. I have a strong feeling that I do not want to die. I’m not claiming to know what is right or wrong, as that is not my spiritual philosophy. My main focus is on my personal growth and how beautifully I work on myself. When you see yourself through God’s eyes, there is no one more beautiful than you. So, what happened when enlightened beings, like the Buddha, traveled abroad? There are many countries beyond our own. All those who reside there have been touched by Buddha’s teachings. For instance, China is known as a Buddhist country.

Isn’t it true that many countries, like Vietnam, Taiwan, and Thailand, are primarily Buddhist? In these countries, Buddhism plays a significant role in culture, but many people also consume meat, which makes them largely non-vegetarian. So, what’s the story here? Historically, when the Buddha’s monks traveled in India or abroad, they carried a kamandal (a traditional begging bowl) and practiced almsgiving. They followed a principle of taking only what they could eat for that day, trusting that their needs for tomorrow would be taken care of by a higher power. Moreover, they would request only as much food from the households they visited as they could consume, to avoid waste.

If you receive more, then eat more. If you don’t receive enough, you will be hungry. It’s your choice; it shouldn’t be about whether you prefer kheer or halwa. What you have in your kamandal is only what is necessary because the teachings you received were relevant for that time. Back then, there were more sinful deeds, which influenced those teachings. If you surrender yourself to God and have faith that the creator will take care of you, then you will find a connection that leads you into the future.

When we add things to our lives, it often leads to negative consequences. These additions can bring thoughts of evil, vices, and greed, prompting us to do wrong and cheat—not simply because we feel compelled to add more. This serves as an important lesson. Here’s a story to illustrate this point:

Once, a monk was carrying a kamandal (a type of pot) when an eagle flew overhead with a piece of meat in its beak. Eventually, the meat fell from the eagle’s grasp and landed in the monk’s kamandal. At that moment, the pot contained something new. Once something has been added, it cannot simply be removed; this means that whatever is put in must be acknowledged and dealt with.

There is currently a religious crisis. Buddha addressed the issue of the cow and stated that there was no crisis in that case. So, I decided to approach Buddha for guidance. When I arrived, I asked, “Buddha, what should I do now? This is meat, and it has fallen into the kamandal. Your order is that whatever falls into the kamandal must be eaten. I cannot take anything from anyone else.” I explained that I had only what I had gathered. Now, I faced a dilemma. I could either throw away what was in the kamandal, which would break the rule, or I could eat it, preserving the rule. After a moment of contemplation, he closed his eyes and instructed, “You should eat.”

The key point is that anything that falls into the kamandal should be eaten. The individual being discussed had a spiritual vision and was not concerned with traditional religious practices or the kind of faith in God that many people possess. For him, the rules were more significant than belief when it came to spiritual insights. While some may emphasize values or principles, he saw religion as a crisis. He held the belief that meat should not be consumed simply because of its nature. He was so dedicated to this principle that he wouldn’t allow a mosquito to die near him. According to his primary rule, anything that falls into the kamandal must be eaten. Thus, he asserted that the fundamental rule is that whatever has fallen into the kamandal should indeed be consumed.

If the rules had been broken at that time, what might have happened? Evil would have arisen within the eater. Think about it: then the choice would have emerged, along with our likes and dislikes. I went here, and he prepared cabbage curry. I prefer rajma rice, so I decided to go to the next house. There, he offered me rajma rice, and things started again. This led to a feeling of surrender and attachment to God being diminished. One mistake could have led to many others; eating meat does not make a difference in that context. Although it’s not often said, it was a significant religious crisis. Now, consider this: I am explaining to you the principles of beliefs through a story.

Now, tell me when someone was chasing a cow, and you asked him for directions, he replied, “Yes, the cow has gone down this street and not that one.”

The dilemma I faced regarding Dharma was that if I told him the truth, the cow would die. Conversely, if I chose not to tell him the truth, I would be lying. The essence of this Dharma dilemma lies in the belief that you have love for the cow. The underlying belief is that the cow’s life is in danger and that it deserves to be worshipped. Regardless of the rules, one must always tell the truth. Who will you choose to follow in such a situation? If saving the cow is the priority, then trust that God is there to support you. If you are deeply attached to the cow and have a profound love for God, you can find peace in meditation focused on this situation.

O God, please help me in another way. If you truly understand these feelings, then the entire situation can be approached scientifically. There is a method to think about everything, but sometimes, when faced with a religious crisis in life, it’s important to realize that your identity is influenced by attachment. This attachment can cloud your judgment. It stems from beliefs and creates disorder; it is not a guideline for how to live. Do you understand what I am trying to convey?

Om Tat Sat!

…Param Dwij