To
want something badly enough that you would lie and cheat to get it alters the
consciousness and from that altered state of consciousness, an evil and tragic
destiny emerges. What you want (will) although it may seem right in your own
eyes, is a dangerous path to follow; every decision, no matter how small, makes
or breaks character and after all is said and done is passed, what is left is a
man's character: what he has become; what he is.
Ego-gratification
leads to failure in business, in the family, in all realms because of its
effect on character. It is not nearly as important to acquire fame and fortune
as it is to develop one's soul but the ambitious, willful person does not see
this. It is difficult for him to be wise because he sees security and advantage
where danger and failure lurk. He does not consider that even if he becomes successful,
his success will not bring him happiness if he has traded his soul for it.
Everyone
has at least one weakness that leads to suffering. You may buy a new car you
can't really afford, instead of an older model because you cannot resist an
image of yourself driving around being admired by your friends. It would be
wiser to invest that money in land perhaps or some sort of business but just
for the pleasure of showing off, you choose to jeopardize you and your family's
security.
But
the real cost of yielding to your weaknesses is its insidious effect on
character. Choose willfully, ambitiously, selfishly and you begin slowly but
surely to degenerate into a sensual mass of decaying protoplasm, subject to the
beck and call of the ringmaster of external conditioning. Give in to lower
impulses just once and it becomes easier to surrender again and again until
your willfulness is locked in, absorbed utterly in the passionate sway of
flesh. Steal just one penny and you are no longer in control. The inner ground
from which you might have resisted gives way. A bond with the source of
temptation is formed and flourishes. Henceforth, you are no longer free to
make any choices. You serve the source of your sick passion. You move and have
your being blinded by its urges, until one day something other than you becomes
a presence inside you, acting within you as a conscience is supposed to do. No
longer can you respond to reason as you should. No longer can you grow from the
ground of inner being. A separation from your real mind has occurred and nobler
feelings cannot arise and flow through as the good life. You are left with only
ego appeals to passion, with only your appetites to guide you, to lure you.
You are driven by fears, pressures and challenges.
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