Man is generally good, dutiful and loving towards his family. He cares for himself, his relatives, society and nation. He tries to do what is expected of him.
When it comes to improvement in self and self transformation, man knows what is good for him but he will rarely act upon his understanding. Even making changes in lifestyle for sake of health is very difficult as habits are very set and the mind set refuses to change. He knows that exercise is good for him, yet he will find it difficult to go for regular walks. Even when the doctor gives a warning regarding taking care of health and control over food, man still finds it difficult to change himself. It takes repeated pain and damage for man to notice that he must change himself. Sometimes it takes threat of death for him to change his habits and mindset. Fear is one of the keys to being good!
In our relationships with friends and family fear again is the key factor to good behavior and change for better. We fear losing the love of our parents, brothers, sisters, husband, wife, lover, friend etc. Many of us often do right things so that we please them and not because we want to do the right thing.
In the spiritual path too we all know what is good for us. We still find it difficult to change our habits, our mindset and our thoughts. Most of us know there is a God out there but have not experienced Him. So foolishly we feel that what He does not know won’t hurt Him. Or that it won’t hurt us.
Only when one has great love for God and Guru, do changes come in self in a voluntarily manner. The love received from God and Guru is incredibly sweet. The fear of loss of Grace and such wonderful love makes us walk the straight path. Fear that if we don’t change and improve may cause pain or anger to Guru/God or loss of grace & love makes us walk the straight and painful path of righteousness. The fear we have of Guru or God increases our love for Guru and God. It makes us a better disciple, follower and bhakta.
Fear and Bhakti are connected! And this definitely leads to improvement in self and life.
Fear is a factor of self improvement!
