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To forgive means also to forget

The wheel of existence encompasses 8.4 million life-forms. The human is one among them. The ultimate reality is one, yet perceived duality in race, religion, or nation creates a path of suffering and conflict. Beyond the wheel of rebirth is the wheel of time and death, which claims all. Opposite this is the wheel of dharma. The human purpose is liberation through self-knowledge. Humans possess a powerful intellect, which is shaped entirely by education; this determines whether one becomes a doctor, thief, or saint. This intellect, fed by information from vibration and sound, often makes humans feel free to act without considering karmic consequences. One must understand an action's nature and results before acting. You are the king of your body and senses, not their servant. Yet, temptation leads one astray. The company of saints and discourse on the divine is rare. A true saint is one in whom all latent desires have ended, embodying contentment and peace. True forgiveness means to forget grievances completely.

"Know thyself—this is the question that holds the answer to all your questions and the solution to all your problems."

"Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Filming location: Vép, Hungary

The Creator has fashioned 8.4 million different life-forms. The tradition of Tulsīdās classifies them into three categories: Jalchara (water-dwelling), Thalchara (earth-dwelling), and Nabchara (sky-dwelling)—the creatures living in water, on land, and in the air. Collectively, these constitute 8.4 million distinct species. If you do not believe it, you are welcome to count; there is no argument. This is called the Chorāśī kā Cakra—the wheel, the cycle of rebirth and death for all 8.4 million beings. Among these 8.4 million, one is the human. As stated in the śāstras (ancient scriptures), and as modern psychologists and scientists affirm, there is no racism; there is only one race: the human race. Vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam—the entire world is one family of the one God. The ultimate reality is Brahman, yet where duality exists, there is ignorance. Therefore, wherever there is duality of races, cultures, religions, or nations, there is a path of suffering. That is why wars occur. Where racism and national divisions exist, conflict takes place. The second is the Kāla Cakra, the wheel of time and death. Kāla means time, the past, serpent's venom, and it is also this wheel of death. The Kāla Cakra is constantly revolving above our heads, and all will fall victim to it. Beyond that, another wheel is turning: the Dharma Cakra. Dharma is the opposite of Kāla. The adharmī (unrighteous) will go to the Kāla Cakra, while the dharmī (righteous) will come to the Dharma Cakra. Furthermore, Bhagavān Viṣṇu holds the Sudarśana Cakra. There are said to be seventy-two thousand chakras in the human body, with eight primary ones and the Kuṇḍalinī Śakti. Now, the purpose of human life is to attain liberation through knowledge. Who am I? From where have I come? What is the purpose of my coming, and where will I go? Ādi Guru Śaṅkarācārya said in his Aparokṣānubhūti: "Know thyself—this is the question that holds the answer to all your questions and the solution to all your problems." The difference between humans and other creatures is this: humans possess a very powerful instrument, the buddhi (intellect). This human intellect can be developed infinitely. Therefore, education in human life is paramount. It depends entirely on how you are educated. Yet, the human intellect is also easily manipulated. Different countries, religions, cultures, and races impart different educations. This depends solely on the information implanted in your mind, as Dr. Gulābjī mentioned this morning. This informational difference creates distinctions between cultures and races. All information arises from what is in the mind—from vibration, from sound, from Nāda. The Vedas state: Nāda rūpa Parabrahma—the supreme Parabrahman is of the nature of sound, resonance. That resonance exists in every atom and pervades all space, endless and full of ānanda (bliss). This is called ātmā kīyavāsa, the call of the Self. Through this buddhi, through education, one becomes a thief, a terrorist, a holy person, a doctor, an engineer, or one who has learned nothing. It depends on how you educate and develop your buddhi. The dormant talents within the human body are shaped by this education, determining whether one becomes a terrorist, a doctor, a saint, or a thief. It all depends on what kind of education the intellect receives. However, due to this very intellect, humans often feel excessively free, believing they can do whatever they wish. Many do not realize they must face the karma, the consequences, of their actions. We are often unaware of the results of our deeds. God, Kṛṣṇa, said: "Arjuna, before performing any karma, know the form of that karma." When you consciously understand the form of the action, you will know what fruits it will yield. Then your vivekā (discernment) will decide whether you should proceed or not. Kṛṣṇa told Arjuna: "Before you act, first recognize the nature of what you intend to do, and the consequences will become clear. Then you can decide whether to do it or not." This body, mind, and senses are your people, your public. Do not be their slave; be their governor. The saints have said that you are the king of this body, and the senses are your subjects. Therefore, O Lord (of yourself), remain above them; do not become their servant. Your mind and senses are the inhabitants within your body, your kingdom. You are not their servant. Yet, through temptation (lobha), humans fall into bad company or negative thoughts and forget the aim of life. There are a thousand ways to destruction and very few paths to progress. Success requires cultivation. After long observation and research into human society, the great Tulsīdās finally said to himself: "See the greatness of the saints. They constantly instruct themselves, adhering to their own teachings. If we too follow their vākya (words), we will find happiness in our lives." Tulsīdās said: Sant-samāgam harikathā—the company of saints (satsaṅg) and the place where the name and glory of God are spoken is exceedingly rare in human life. He reflected that such satsaṅg and the manifestation of God's name are very rare in this world. Satsaṅg does not mean wearing a particular uniform. A uniform does not make one a saint. "Saint" (sant) means sa-ant—the end of all vāsanās (latent desires), the end of all passions. It signifies one whose desires are finished, who possesses good and positive thoughts, who is always content, and who has peace. When such a saint is present, it is like entering an air-conditioned room from intense heat, finding sudden relief. Or like coming into a warm room from bitter cold, being freed from the chill and entering a pleasant, temperate atmosphere of śānti (peace), both inside and out. Śāntoṣ (contentment), śānti (peace), kṣamā (forgiveness). Only a great soul can truly forgive. As Jesus said on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." What greatness! In such a situation, to pray for them: "Please forgive them." What would we do? O my God, even without a chance to speak, we would likely scream and utter harsh words. Where is that forgiveness? Jesus said, "Lord, forgive them, they know not what they do." What would we say in such a plight? We would probably be furious and shout. This is the height of forgiveness. As Jesus demonstrated, do not be afraid. He said, "Lord, forgive them." At most, we might say we forgive but will never forget. Yet, to forgive truly means to forget. Do not retain grievances at any level of your consciousness—unconscious, subconscious, conscious, or superconscious. Clear everything away. Purify.

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

The text contains hyperlinks in bold to three authoritative books on yoga, written by humans, to clarify the context of the lecture:

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