VIVEK AND ITS ENHANCEMENT
– Our vivek, that is, judging capability of mind can be increased a lot. Our acts must correspond to our present vivek and should never be in accordance with the vivek of other persons, even if, vivek of that person is higher than ours. Use of our intellect, that is, vivek is necessary for our advancement. In other words, we can say that doing acts in accordance with others’ vivek stops our own advancement. Is there any way to improve our vivek? Yes. Our vivek can be improved by reading or listening to the Vedaas, vedic literature or the works of the great vedic scholars. As such, do make it a habit to read the Vedaas, vedic literature or the works of the great vedic scholars daily for 20-30 minutes.
– We should wish for the intellect, which is capable of relating the different words to their actual meanings. For example, intellect, which says that not the watch but the time, shown by it, is precious, should be prayed for. We should not merely wish but strive towards having such an intellect. The only method of having such an intellect is to study a few pages of Vedaas or the literature which is in consonance with the philosophy of Vedaas daily.
-Good company and studying good books are the only source of increasing our vivek. Here, the term ‘good’ needs to be defined. A company or a book can be called good, only if, it comprises truth and truth only. No soul is perfect. Therefore, company of any human being or that of books written by human beings can never be good. Only God is perfect. As such, company of only those human beings, whose lives are in perfect harmony with the vedaas is good and books not other than Vedaas or the books written by Rishis, that is, the human beings, whose lives are in perfect harmony with the words of God, are good.
-It is very necessary that before behaving in accordance with the beliefs of a particular religion, those beliefs are put to ‘Acid Test’ of our vivek. If we consider the beliefs of our religion to be true and that of other religions to be false, then, we can not be right because every one considers the beliefs of his own religion to be true. Then, what is the guarantee that beliefs of our religion only are true? Naturally, one considers the beliefs of the religion, in which one has taken birth, to be true. And one considers the person, who tries to tell wrong- beliefs of his religion, as his enemy. One, who desires his welfare, must know wrong beliefs of his religion and should try to abandon them. Only after abandoning such wrong beliefs and after following true beliefs in his actions, one can move forward on the path of God.