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First Lesson 181
I’m sorry to say that modern-day psychiatry is not rooted in such a penetrating vision as this. Instead of leading to selflessness, a vision of brotherliness, a dedication to sacrifice for the good of the community and the attainment of higher levels of consciousness, psychiatric values which frequently overemphasize the emotions, too often lead to a preoccupation with self-interests. We don’t quite seem to understand what the saints have long known about the very special importance of morality in shaping character, and how character influences the unfolding of consciousness. It is character, the concretization of morality, which determines the heights to which one’s vision soars.
How essential it is for the establishment of world peace and for the highest state of individual growth that we come to recognize and accept a morality centered in an awareness of Universal Consciousness and leading to selflessness and brotherliness. Instead of dismissing this holy vision, we should be asking, just what are these values, this morality, which leads to union—and how are we to adopt and incorporate into our character this special approach to reality?
Most choices of daily life are basically moral in nature, challenging our capacity to balance our need for gratification of animal drives and impulses with higher human aspirations and our yearning for the infinite. These range from lower-level choices related to regulation and control of the senses and drives (do I need to eat so much?)—to higher-level choices (should I lie for selfish gain?)—to still higher choices regarding how best to spend time: for personal gain and self-gratification, or sacrificial service for the benefit and happiness of others, and the cultivation of our relationship with God.
Choices lead to action; action forms habits; habits solidify into character. The saints tell us that character is a concretization of our moral vision, and that it is this structure, which determines the depth of our vision into reality. If choice is strongly influenced by higher values and aspirations, if character grows out of the spiritual vision of oneness and brotherliness, it will lead us to ultimate union with the infinite. Seen in this light, morality—the guideline for directing thought, action and behavior—takes on a new importance.
Psychiatrists may have a problem in seeing morality in this new light. We have too often seen overly harsh and punitive morality lead to psychological illness and bondage instead of freedom. Yet there is a