Page 212 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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206 Mystic pathways through the bible
Christ allowed Himself to be cruci ed. He could have sought the advice of more experienced people and found a way to avoid being captured. Socrates could have escaped from prison, since there were many people ready to bribe the prison attendants to release him; but Socrates decided he would rather drink the poison than abandon his adherence to Truth. Mahatma Gandhi lived a life of intense austerity, ever ready to die for his righteous goals.
Learning the art of standing up for righteousness, standing up for what you believe in, has been the message of all great leaders and Saints and Sages alike. This art strengthens your fortitude and resolve to adhere to what your own soul is guiding you to do. And interestingly enough, although the virtuous actions of a saintly personality are not meant to please others, they eventually do become pleasing to people of every age. There is a special sweetness exuded by suffering for righteousness’ sake—and eventually all the forces that were against a righteous person turn in their favor.
The Sublime Nobility of Suffering
A spiritual aspirant lives a life pervaded by a sense of sacri ce. With a Godward vision, adversities are converted into austerities, and persecutions offered by the world are converted into a process of self- puri cation. Thus an aspirant sacri ces his grosser