When people do bad things, especially if they are normally good people, then their bad actions can shock us. If we had trusted them and if we felt betrayed by them, we may think, “That person is so evil.” 

Most people are not evil; they don’t get a devilish joy in doing hurtful things. Simultaneously, most people today don’t live with any deep sense of meaning or purpose in their lives; they just go through the motions, doing what they need to do. Because of that inner emptiness, they don’t have any strong reason to resist temptation when it confronts them — all the more so when it seems easily enjoyable and the fallout seems nonthreatening or negligible. Over time, as they become habituated to indulging, they may indulge to greater and greater degrees till they end up doing things that they would have previously considered unconscionable. 

By thus appreciating how inner emptiness can cause outer egregiousness, we can become less judgmental and more understanding. Who knows, if we ourselves are exposed to difficult situations, we may do things that we would normally consider unthinkable. 

Such an empathic approach can also transform how we deal with their wrongdoings. Instead of condemning or punishing them for their actions, we can focus on providing them a purpose that can inspire and energize them. 

Gita wisdom offers us all an uplifting vision of humanity by explaining that we all are parts of the divine, Krishna (Bhagavad-gita 15.07). By helping everyone connect with the Lord in a mood of service and contribution using one’s particular talents and interests, then we all can find an empowering purpose that can fill the hole within and help us become whole and healthy in the Divine. 

One-sentence summary:

Most people who do bad things aren’t evil, they are just empty.

Think it over:

  • How might good people end up doing bad things?
  • How can Gita wisdom help us fill our inner emptiness?
  • How can you become more empathic in empowering others to overcome their weaknesses?

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