Crime cannot be dealt with rules and regulations alone. We will lessen suffering and develop a corruption-free world when we awaken our true spiritual identity, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj Ji
Corruption” has consistently grabbed headlines in the Indian media in recent times. Scams, central agency probes, public protests and anti-corruption agitations have kept the topic alive in all sections of media, government and in public and private discussions. There has been enormous pressure on the government by civil rights activists to create a strong anti-corruption law and implement it aggressively across the country.
However, in this whole struggle, we tend to forget that corruption cannot be dealt with activism and political awareness alone. Laws and regulations cannot deter humans from indulging in follies of character and moral values. It is like pruning or cutting the stems and branches that will eventually sprout again and proliferate in more directions. Such laws can surely deter people in high public offices from indulging in heinous acts of bribery, fraud and corruption, shameless, but it cannot root out the evil.
So what is it that makes a man corrupt? Is it power, status, wealth or lack of certain amenities? The genesis of corruption is not to be found in any external circumstance, it actually lies in the psyche or the character of the human soul. It begins with a desire that tempts one to have, acquire and grab more money, assets, power and fame to gain happiness. Once it begins, it creates a vicious circle that keeps feeding itself with more desire and indulgence.
This blind chase is supported by the temporary feeling of being powerful which is followed by emptiness, insecurity and despair that further drives a person to commit more such acts of corruption. All this begins from the fundamental ignorance about the true identity of self. Because we believe our self-worth depends on money, role, status, fame or authority that we strive to create more identities based on that. With time, these fabricated means of self-worth fall apart. Due to that fear, we put all our efforts in strengthening and protecting such false support systems because we feel we are nobody if all these identities are taken away from us.
From a spiritual perspective, it is said that vices like greed, ego, lust, anger and attachment are all born out of body consciousness, that is the false identification of the self with one’s physical image, role and assets. It is this ignorance and vice that begin to corrupt the soul, its thoughts, feelings, actions and habits.
In that sense, one can say that today, almost all human souls have become corrupt to some extent. Hence, we must understand that corruption is a soul-deep malady and can be remedied only by spiritual awareness and empowerment. We must awaken our true self and live by values of peace, purity, love and joy. Today, we do not experience such enriching qualities because we are always seeking them outside ourselves. When we look inwards and become aware of our true identity and innate qualities, we begin to express and experience them in our lives naturally. A person who empowers himself this way, experiences contentment in life. Such a person will never fall in the trap of sensory attractions and desires. It’s only when we are disconnected from our innate self that we feel empty inside and get attracted to external objects to feel happy or important. In soul consciousness stage, we are naturally aware of our virtues and we also understand the law of cause and effect — the law of karma.
Remember! A soul that is aware of its spiritual identity will never indulge in corrupt actions as it knows that they will lead to suffering and degradation. This realisation and experience will free the world from corruption.