Self-Correction and Seeking Forgiveness

Hari Om!

|| स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमादः ||
Never Procrastinate to Study Yourself!

Gnothi Seauton:
Know Thyself

Live not inattentively. ~ The Buddha

We begin this series of Podcasts on the unique philosophy of Swami Sharnānandjī with the Eleven Basic Principles of Humanity. These principles are supremely essential for the creation of a harmonious society (ऐक सुन्दर समाज का निर्माण) and for living a happy, fulfilled life. According to Swamījī, a fulfilled life is a life of service, surrender, and love (सेवा, समर्पण और प्रेम).  By practicing these three virtues, one’s life becomes useful to the society, to oneself, and to the Supreme Lord.

The first principle of humanity urged us to see our faults in the light of self-introspection. Once we do that sincerely, the next step becomes clear to us. When we see our faults as faults—without self-justification or rationalization—we become steadfast to correct them.

Therefore, the second of the 11 Principles of Humanity pertains to self-correction:

2. की हुई भूल को, पुनः न दोहराने का व्रत लेकर, सरल विश्वासपूर्वक प्रार्थना करना |
3. Resolving not to repeat any past mistakes and praying with a simple faith.

It is said that ‘to err is human and to forgive is divine.’ The divine forgiveness is however available only when we take a vow not to repeat our past mistakes. There is no forgiveness granted, divine or human, for repeat, intentional mistakes! Gurdjieff, the great Russian mystic, used to say, ‘If you continue to do wrong, knowing it to be so, you commit a sin that is …unforgivable.’ That is why it is so important to make a commitment not to repeat mistakes, realizing them to be mistakes. This is a crucial point and an important vow.

Many religions provide for ‘confession’ and ‘repentance’ to redeem past mistakes and sins. But the best redemption from our sins seems to be ‘resolving not to repeat them.’

We do not have the concept of sin per se in Indian Philosophy, which postulates self-ignorance  (आत्म-अज्ञान) to be the root cause of all evil. Sin is essentially missing the mark—an ontological error.

What did Swāmī Sharnānandjī mean by the expression ‘praying with a simple faith.’

What do we pray for in this context? We pray for forgiveness. This is the idea.

The great sage, Aṣṭavakra instructs king Janaka in the Aṣṭavakra Gītā, thus:

“If you aspire after liberation ….seek forgiveness, sincerity, kindness, contentment, and truth as nectar.” (1.2)

Thus, forgiveness heads the list of virtues for the seekers of Truth.

The ability to forgive and to seek forgiveness is also essential for leading a blessed worldly life. As the great Urdu poet, Ghalib put it:

कुछ इस तरह से मैंने ज़िन्दगी को आसां कर लिया |
किसी से माफ़ी मांग ली, किसी को माफ़ कर दिया ||

I have made my life at ease by seeking forgiveness from some and by forgiving some.

It is said that, every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. The second principle cleanses both the past and paves the way for an error-free future (भूल रहित भविष्य)

The upshot of second principle of humanity is this:

By seeking forgiveness, we cleanse the past;
By resolving not to repeat the past mistakes,
we build a better, brighter future.

May we all be so fortunate!

Hari Om!