On Judging Others

Arran Stephens

THERE is a wonderful naturalness about the Master’s Satsang discourses in his native Language of Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu, although he also speaks impeccable English. From an inexhaustible store of wisdom and truth, he creates and relates homely parables drawn from everyday life, beautifully weaving them into spiritually charged lesson for the gathering – ranging from a handful of disciples to vast, sprawling attentive audience of 20,000 or more, who assemble on the sanctified Ashram grounds or wherever the Master happens to go. Even if one cannot understand the language of the eye. In this regard, Master once said, “More than 75 percent of the Master’s teachings comes through the eyes; the remaining one-fourth is through word of mouth.”

Given below are glimpses from one of the sublime discourses of the Satguru shortly after I arrived in India. It was translated from the original Hindi and jotted down on the spot.

Evening Satsang, January 28, 1967

“If we realize that death is certain, then there will be a change in our life. You must remain attentive in meditation. If not, the mind will think of others and judge their actions; criticizing, etc. Instead of the good actions of others, we take their bad actions to be our guiding factor. If you see the bad qualities of others, you will become those bad qualities. As you think, so you become. “God has said: ‘He is my loveliest child who sees me in others.’ Thought are very potent. You should see the good qualities of others rather than the bad qualities. You must have a sweet tongue; it should not injure the feelings of others. You want to love God, yet you curse others is a great sin; it is a sin of the highest degree. If you have to face a person with such bad qualities, get on to one side rather that face him. Analyze yourself and see your own shortcomings instead of seeing the shortcomings of others. Who are you to take out the shortcomings of others? It is easy to seek God, but very difficult to mend yourself. If you realized that God resides in others, would you want to hurt them? One by one, you should give up your shortcomings. This is why I insist on all initiates keeping a diary.

“If a man won't give up his evil ways of hurting others, why should you depart from your sweet ways of helping others? If you must observe others, then observe their virtuous qualities. There are shortcomings in all, but also good qualities.

“Swami Ji says, ‘I will give you a tip; if you want to see shortcomings, then look into your own self; if you want to see virtues, then see them in others.’ Listen to what I say, and take heed; if not, you will be sorry and then it will be too late in the day. I have selected the best pieces of advice for you. Now it is up to you to follow it. God has given us this tongue to remember Him and not to hurt the feelings of others.”