FreeStuffEngine.com - Why Have Guilt? Shelve It! Live Without Fear and Greed By Prince Chugh

What is guilt and why do we have it? This is a question of gravity and very often we get entangled in understanding its intricacies. The discomfort of our conscience is the guilt. Our conscience decides the ideals we choose to uphold in the course of life. When we perform any act, compromising on our ideal, the conscience feels uneasy. This suffocation of our veracity is the guilt. Guilt is an emotional experience just like happiness, sadness, anger or kindness. But it is possible to shelve this sinking experience of the conscience and thereafter live in peace eternally.

PERSONAL CODE OF ETHICS

To save ourselves the agonizing feeling of guilt, the simplest way is to set our principles so low that they never seem to be compromised. But this easy solution is not recommendable because intellectually we are on a much higher plane than the animals and should not retrograde ourselves to their level. The feeling of guilt is subjective, depending upon ones values in life. While one may have moral compunction on killing of a tiny insect, the other may not feel an iota of regret on murdering a fellow human being. But there are certain commandments against adultery, stealing, killing, etc which are common in all religions and for all individuals irrespective of their personal code of ethics. If we are even below these basic commandments then we are mere seed-bulls.

JUDGEMENT OF ACTION

In our lifetime we are invariably faced with the dilemma of choosing between right and wrong. How do we decide if an action is going to stifle our conscience or revitalize the soul? Motive is one criterion to judge our acts. Intention behind the act lends it the colour of black or white. When a philanthropist constructs a charitable hospital in expectation of public glory and acclaim, his donation ceases to be charity. His selfish motive changes the nature of his otherwise good deed. But motive alone does not determine the sanctity of an action.

Means applied to further the motive are of equal import. The proponents of Robin Hood, the fictional character who believed in ? Rob Peter to pay Paul?, justify his acts to shadow their own guilt. Swami Chinmayananda explains that Robin Hood did not ?distribute? he ?looted and distributed?. His motive lost its character because of the militant means he employed to fulfill his cause. Motive and means are interrelated because motive- the values you uphold in life, determine the quality of thoughts; the quality of thoughts determine in turn the quality of actions.

CAUSE OF GUILT

The cardinal question still remains what forces us to indulge in actions that cause guilt and heartache? The inevitable answer is GREED. The insatiable avarice of the senses captures even the wise unawares. Man is a round the clock production house of desires. As one desire is satisfied the other rises. We are blessed with the senses because God wanted us to enjoy the beauty and charms of His majestic creation. But leaving the senses without reins in the marathon of desires has cataclysmic results. Our eyes gaze beautiful forms, tongue savours good taste, skin demands comforting softness. The senses are doing their natural course while seeking the pleasure, but unrestrained gluttony of sensual gratification is uncalled for. No religion preaches renouncement of the world and its pleasures. Self-denial of the senses is unnatural and not to be followed. When we suppress our natural instincts, there is a growing frustration and curiosity. And as they say, ?curiosity kills the cat?, the quashed desires suddenly erupt like a volcano and cause debauchery which later leads to a tormenting conscience.

Our preceptors said, ?Enjoy the world, but let not the world enjoy you?. However, our greed for wealth, luxury and carnal gratification is ever increasing. The sybaritic behavior has caused pervasive decadence. Our desire for instant happiness blinds us to the remorse we shall experience in the long term. Letting our senses overpower our intellect will sooner or later only result in nothing but compunction. A robber robs because he has cupidity for money. As long as he evades the cops he does not bother about the wrong. Though he is always aware that stealing is wrong, he does not feel guilty because the negative consequences of doing it escape his mind. But the day he is caught and incarcerated for lifetime he wails, ?Why did I do it??

FEAR OF PENALTY

Is it only the fear of punishment that can keep our greed under check? Like they ?Spare the rod and spoil the child?. If this being true, the robber would never experience guilt pangs if he were never caught. But sooner than later our Eternal Father does justice to all. It does not imply that He is a merciless God who believes in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. He is a well of love and compassion, an embodiment of forgiveness and mercy. But he shall be ignorant and na? who mistakes his forgiveness for His weakness. When we commit an iniquity and are honestly repenting, we take solace in God?s love and ask for forgiveness. Asking for forgiveness entails a tacit promise to God that ?I shall not repeat the unworthy act?. When the heart is overcome by guilt of your misdeed, the plea for mercy makes its way straight to the God?s heart. And the magnanimous God is bound to give you another chance.

But if you break the sacred oath and repeat the wrong, it simply means you never felt guilty for your acts and the greed of senses still dominates you.

?Fear not God, for He is love

But fear is wrath, if you ashamed his love?

MODERATION IS THE SOLUTION

The sure way to free the conscience from the distress of guilt is to learn contentment. ?MODERATION? is the sure shot way to shelve guilt and live without greed of materialism and fear of retribution. An absolute and abrupt denial of worldly pleasures leads to rancor and cynicism in life, however incessant indulgence in temporal pleasures can pull a man down to the nadir animalism. Temperateness in character gives a tranquil mind and a calm body, which connects, readily to the ever-ecstatic soul. Free the mind of greed and fear, and it loosens the conscience from the claws of guilt. A liberated soul is a harbinger of joy untold.

Depression
added July 9, 2006 What is guilt and why do we have it? This is a question of gravity and very often we get entangled in understanding its intricacies. The discomfort of our conscience is the guilt. Our conscience decides the ideals we choose to uphold in the course of life. When we perform any act, compromising on our ideal, the conscience feels uneasy. This suffocation of our veracity is the guilt. Guilt is an emotional experience just like happiness, sadness, anger or kindness. But it is possible to shelve this sinking experience of the conscience and thereafter live in peace eternally. PERSONAL CODE OF ETHICS To save ourselves the agonizing feeling of guilt, the simplest way is to set our principles so low that they never seem to be compromised. But this easy solution is not recommendable because intellectually we are on a much higher plane than the animals and should not retrograde ourselves to their level. The feeling of guilt is subjective, depending upon ones values in life. While one may have moral compunction on killing of a tiny insect, the other may not feel an iota of regret on murdering a fellow human being. But there are certain commandments against adultery, stealing, killing, etc which are common in all religions and for all individuals irrespective of their personal code of ethics. If we are even below these basic commandments then we are mere seed-bulls. JUDGEMENT OF ACTION In our lifetime we are invariably faced with the dilemma of choosing between right and wrong. How do we decide if an action is going to stifle our conscience or revitalize the soul? Motive is one criterion to judge our acts. Intention behind the act lends it the colour of black or white. When a philanthropist constructs a charitable hospital in expectation of public glory and acclaim, his donation ceases to be charity. His selfish motive changes the nature of his otherwise good deed. But motive alone does not determine the sanctity of an action. Means applied to further the motive are of equal import. The proponents of Robin Hood, the fictional character who believed in ? Rob Peter to pay Paul?, justify his acts to shadow their own guilt. Swami Chinmayananda explains that Robin Hood did not ?distribute? he ?looted and distributed?. His motive lost its character because of the militant means he employed to fulfill his cause. Motive and means are interrelated because motive- the values you uphold in life, determine the quality of thoughts; the quality of thoughts determine in turn the quality of actions. CAUSE OF GUILT The cardinal question still remains what forces us to indulge in actions that cause guilt and heartache? The inevitable answer is GREED. The insatiable avarice of the senses captures even the wise unawares. Man is a round the clock production house of desires. As one desire is satisfied the other rises. We are blessed with the senses because God wanted us to enjoy the beauty and charms of His majestic creation. But leaving the senses without reins in the marathon of desires has cataclysmic results. Our eyes gaze beautiful forms, tongue savours good taste, skin demands comforting softness. The senses are doing their natural course while seeking the pleasure, but unrestrained gluttony of sensual gratification is uncalled for. No religion preaches renouncement of the world and its pleasures. Self-denial of the senses is unnatural and not to be followed. When we suppress our natural instincts, there is a growing frustration and curiosity. And as they say, ?curiosity kills the cat?, the quashed desires suddenly erupt like a volcano and cause debauchery which later leads to a tormenting conscience. Our preceptors said, ?Enjoy the world, but let not the world enjoy you?. However, our greed for wealth, luxury and carnal gratification is ever increasing. The sybaritic behavior has caused pervasive decadence. Our desire for instant happiness blinds us to the remorse we shall experience in the long term. Letting our senses overpower our intellect will sooner or later only result in nothing but compunction. A robber robs because he has cupidity for money. As long as he evades the cops he does not bother about the wrong. Though he is always aware that stealing is wrong, he does not feel guilty because the negative consequences of doing it escape his mind. But the day he is caught and incarcerated for lifetime he wails, ?Why did I do it?? FEAR OF PENALTY Is it only the fear of punishment that can keep our greed under check? Like they ?Spare the rod and spoil the child?. If this being true, the robber would never experience guilt pangs if he were never caught. But sooner than later our Eternal Father does justice to all. It does not imply that He is a merciless God who believes in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. He is a well of love and compassion, an embodiment of forgiveness and mercy. But he shall be ignorant and na? who mistakes his forgiveness for His weakness. When we commit an iniquity and are honestly repenting, we take solace in God?s love and ask for forgiveness. Asking for forgiveness entails a tacit promise to God that ?I shall not repeat the unworthy act?. When the heart is overcome by guilt of your misdeed, the plea for mercy makes its way straight to the God?s heart. And the magnanimous God is bound to give you another chance. But if you break the sacred oath and repeat the wrong, it simply means you never felt guilty for your acts and the greed of senses still dominates you. ?Fear not God, for He is love But fear is wrath, if you ashamed his love? MODERATION IS THE SOLUTION The sure way to free the conscience from the distress of guilt is to learn contentment. ?MODERATION? is the sure shot way to shelve guilt and live without greed of materialism and fear of retribution. An absolute and abrupt denial of worldly pleasures leads to rancor and cynicism in life, however incessant indulgence in temporal pleasures can pull a man down to the nadir animalism. Temperateness in character gives a tranquil mind and a calm body, which connects, readily to the ever-ecstatic soul. Free the mind of greed and fear, and it loosens the conscience from the claws of guilt. A liberated soul is a harbinger of joy untold.
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Depression