Today in the media and in soap operas we are presented with lies, deception and fake-ness everywhere. It seems to be the norm, ‘the new normal’. That is something we need to question right at the start. Everything from fake news, fake relationships, fake produce, fake business…
What is not fake nowadays? What can we rely on?
Deception and the fake seem to be everywhere we go. When we buy flowers, they are not all as fresh as they look. When we buy oranges in crates or Medjool dates in boxes, often the big and best ones are at the top, the smaller ones at the bottom. Does it really pay to deceive others?
Deception is an act or a statement, which hides the truth intentionally for personal gain or advantage. So, for example, there could be a sign that says: “Buy one! Get one free!” But then, as you get closer, you are told to read the fine print… and then you find out that that was not what they meant at all!
When we aim to deceive, it gets us nowhere! Every lie told just simply creates more distrust in humanity. As my mother often said, this is just ‘false economy’. We are unlikely to go to that store ever again for oranges, and we will certainly choose our Medjool dates one by one… probably somewhere else. So, it is not really profitable.
I recently found an article from the BBC which covers just about everything I want to say about deception. I’m attaching the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/lying/lying_1.shtml
Research has found that we all lie several times a day. From small lies to big ones… I tell someone who asks about my health that: “I’m OK”, when I’m not feeling the best. We tell a friend that she looks lovely in that new dress, when inside we are feeling: “I wouldn’t wear that colour or style!”
We can also deceive ourselves. This can be a dangerous place. Self-respect is the key to truth and trust. If I have an ample supply of self-respect, then I will not be afraid of telling the truth. I can speak the truth tactfully, and must be considerate of the feelings of others. I have to be clear in my intentions. If I lack self-respect, I am likely to lie to my mother, my wife or husband, to my children… for fear of what they will think of me. If I am not feeling good about myself, if I am lacking self-respect, then this will spill over into other areas of my life, and my relationships will suffer.
Trust and honesty are the bedrock of a healthy individual, family, society, culture, nation and the world. We have to begin now. That means at every moment we have to be honest, as honest as possible without hurting another – and definitely not to deceive.
In the story of the ‘Widow’s Mite’ from the Christian Bible Jesus taught that there was more power in the widow’s mite than in the centurion’s large donation. Why? This was because the purity of the widow’s heart was of greater value than the show created and the money given by the Roman soldier. A mite at that time was worth less than a penny and so was of no real monetary value in itself. However, the power of the widow’s love and the pure intention in her offering from the heart made the donation powerful and worthy. The soldier’s donation had a lot of ego attached to it.
Also, how pure was the source of his earnings?
If I earn a penny by deceiving another, that will never be blessed money. I will not sleep well at night. I will be sick from using that money. Earning money in that way will not make me happy These are all signs that there is deception in my actions.
It’s Time… first of all to be honest with our own selves. If I lie to myself, then how can I be honest with anyone else?
Adapted from Aruna Ladva’s web page: itstimetomeditate.org
_______________________________________________________________________________
Brahma Kumaris in Australia
The Brahma Kumaris have had a presence in Australia since 1975. There are centres and
class locations in the major cities, as well as three Centres for Spiritual Learning, where
courses, classes and retreats are held.
Brahma Kumaris Australia is a registered charity in the area of education (spiritual).
All programs are offered free of charge as a service to the community.
The ongoing operations are funded through donations from students and the public
in the spirit of maintaining its educational services for the benefit of all in the community.
Meditation online: http://learnmeditationonline.org
www.brahmakumaris.org.au
www.facebook.com/BKAustralia
