Suppose we know that someone is short-tempered. Suppose further we hear through the grapevine that they have assaulted someone. If we presume the rumor to be true or desire that it be true, that tendency points to our own ungodliness, independent of their ungodliness.

We all have our weaknesses. When we tend to believe the worst about others, without confirming the facts, that tendency reflects our own critical mentality. Such a mentality characterizes a dark mind. In contrast, the godly are characterized by an aversion to faultfinding (Bhagavad-gita 16.02). They prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt. The godly consider people innocent unless proven guilty, whereas the ungodly consider people guilty unless proven innocent. 

When our mind is dark, we alienate others by our suspiciousness and judgmentality. And we dim our own spirituality. Why? Because spiritual consciousness means that first, we see everyone as potentially divine, being eternal parts of Krishna (15.07); and second, we try to equip and encourage others to manifest their good side. 

Of course, we can’t be naïve believing that people are good when the evidence screams otherwise. To stay between the extremes of being naïve and being cynical, we need to cultivate a service attitude towards Krishna and others in relationship with Krishna. 

With such a spiritually-grounded positive attitude, we see the good in others and encourage them to develop it more. And when we do need to address their faults, we do so in a gentle, non-judgmental way that is most likely to kindle a positive change. 

Indeed, the desire that the bright be brighter defines a bright mind, a mind lit with Krishna’s grace that uplifts us and uplifts others through us. 

 

Think it over:

  • How do the godly and the ungodly differ in their attitude toward others?
  • How can a service attitude improve our vision of others?
  • Do you tend to think the worst about someone? What can you do to see them spiritually and positively?

 

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16.02 Nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquillity; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; … [– these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.]


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