15. We Reflect What We Consume
Insight: Negative criticism is like bathing in a gutter and calling it the Ganga.
Guruji HDH Swamishri was returning to Swaminarayan Dham after completing vicharan in Godhar. A devotee stopped the car and placed a bunch of newspaper cuttings in Guruji’s hand. Guruji asked, “What is this?”
“Swami, these are reports about some of the inappropriate actions of a religious leader. His deeds have been printed in the newspaper.”
Guruji immediately tore the papers and said to the devotee, “Dayalu, why do we have to know about someone with whom we have no connection?”
The devotee said, “But Dayalu, You are leading an organisation, so You should know what is happening in society.”
Guruji replied, “Dear, ‘We reflect what we consume.’ When we read, listen to or watch negative matters about anyone, our own negativity increases. If something is inspiring and good about someone, we should know it. But if knowing a negative matter brings us no benefit, then it is only a waste of time. The true development of the organisation will happen to the extent that we connect with Maharaj.”
Later, while giving a discourse in the car, Guruji said, “Negative talk about anyone fills our mind with negativity. Then everything begins to appear negative. Therefore, strictly stay away from it. Discussion of such matters is only a waste of time.”
In this way, Guruji taught that negativity grows from engaging with the negative.
Resolve: I will not waste time by knowingly engaging in someone’s negative matters.
What we feed the mind eventually returns in our vision
15. We Reflect What We Consume
Insight: Negative criticism is like bathing in a gutter and calling it the Ganga.
Guruji HDH Swamishri was returning to Swaminarayan Dham after completing vicharan in Godhar. A devotee stopped the car and placed a bunch of newspaper cuttings in Guruji’s hand. Guruji asked, “What is this?”
“Swami, these are reports about some of the inappropriate actions of a religious leader. His deeds have been printed in the newspaper.”
Guruji immediately tore the papers and said to the devotee, “Dayalu, why do we have to know about someone with whom we have no connection?”
The devotee said, “But Dayalu, You are leading an organisation, so You should know what is happening in society.”
Guruji replied, “Dear, ‘We reflect what we consume.’ When we read, listen to or watch negative matters about anyone, our own negativity increases. If something is inspiring and good about someone, we should know it. But if knowing a negative matter brings us no benefit, then it is only a waste of time. The true development of the organisation will happen to the extent that we connect with Maharaj.”
Later, while giving a discourse in the car, Guruji said, “Negative talk about anyone fills our mind with negativity. Then everything begins to appear negative. Therefore, strictly stay away from it. Discussion of such matters is only a waste of time.”
In this way, Guruji taught that negativity grows from engaging with the negative.
Resolve: I will not waste time by knowingly engaging in someone’s negative matters.
What we feed the mind eventually returns in our vision
