Often an over indulgence here or a holiday out of the routine there causes guilt. Other times, guilt is caused by actions we engage in that do not meet our moral or ethical standards. But how does guilt affect our consciousness and how much does it really help us? Here in this week’s wisdom blog, we present an informed and insightful commentary by the global spiritual teacher and founder of The International Association For Human Values, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on the workings of guilt on our mind and consciousness. Find out if it has a purpose to serve!
- Purpose of guilt
“Guilt has a purpose. It does not allow you to get into a cycle of actions that are not good for you and for others,” says Sri Sri, “When such an action happens, the guilt in you acts like a brake for you not to continue the same act.”
However, guilt is good in the right amount and only for that period of time,explains Sri Sri. “If it goes beyond that limit then it eats you up like a termite. So, you need ‘skill’ to get out of guilt, but at the same time, not totally remove it from the system – till you realize that you are not the doer but the total light, the wisdom, the self. Until that blossoming, a little bit of guilt serves you. It protects you,” Sri Sri says.
- How to balance it?
“To bring about that balance we have spiritual practices,” says Sri Sri. According to Sri Sri, a sincere wish to repent solves the purpose. “This wish is an indication that your intellect is getting matured. Otherwise, you would not have been aware of your wrong actions.”
- You are innocent
He shares a deeply poignant truth about human life. “You are innocent in the present moment. That person who did a mistake has packed off his suitcase and gone. Now inside you is a new person. Start believing in the innocence of the present moment where the YOU in you is innocent.”
About The Author
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is an international humanitarian leader and a spiritual master who is the global rallying voice of this generation’s collective call for peace.
Named one of the “Seven Most Powerful People in India,” by Forbes, his world-renowned meditation techniques helped end the 60-year conflict in Colombia. He has been credited with bringing opposing parties together to facilitate meditation and peace talks in Iraq, Cote d’Ivoire and India.
Founder of the Art of Living Foundation and International Association for Human Values, Sri Sri is leading the way toward peace and tolerance through meditation and humanitarian efforts. Over 35 years, his programs and initiatives have touched the lives of over 370 million people in over 150 countries.
“Sudarshan Kriya,” the meditation technique introduced by Sri Sri is backed by research and implemented in schools, corporations, prisons, refugee camps and retreat centers around the world. As a spiritual teacher, Sri Sri has rekindled traditions of yoga and meditation that have helped millions of people achieve personal and social transformation by relieving stress and discovering inner peace in daily life.
If you want to live and experience what peace is, even if for a few minutes in your day, here is a short guided meditation led by Gurudev, for just the right start of your day or may be the mid-day boost of Prana (life force) that you need for your day.
