Page 318 - WLMIG_6132004.indd

Proper Use of Conscience
A practical way of using conscience in self-improvement is to take an honest assessment of our thoughts, words, and deeds. Ask, “What am I doing in the here and now that is working or not working?” Take a spiritual assessment. Ask, “Am I like Buddha, practicing right seeing, right hearing, right talking, right feeling, and right action? How am I living, eating, sleeping, exercising, and working? How are my relationships? Is there unity in my thoughts, feelings, and behaviors? Do I have the courage and faith to change, to do what is needed to live a life of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds?” Swami says that most physical illness comes from stress and mental conflict, which come from, “hurry, worry, and curry \[eating the wrong kind of food\]. Haste makes waste, waste makes worry, so why hurry?” Is there anything obviously off balance in these areas of your life?
After identifying the problem comes the need to do something about it. Swami emphasizes puing understanding into practice. Being willing to take action to improve ourselves is critically important. Acting correctly means facing limitations and fears, not avoiding or hiding.
Follow the Master.
Face the devil (our fears). Fight to the end (do right). Finish the race! (SSB)
Courageous action, a willingness to face the devil and fight to the end, is seen in the truthful appraisal of our behavior and in doing all we can to correct any wrong inclinations. Acting in accordance with our conscience is dharma.
This call to right action is the same for everyone, from the severely impaired patient to the most successful, and for the therapist as well. Each one must act in accordance with his conscience.
318