Hatred-The Killer Vice

The word 'hatred' finds its place in the dictionary of most of us. Whether we reveal it openly or not, but in our hearts we do bear hatred for someone or the other, for some or the other reason. This vice called hatred seeks someone to be hated always, and we all fall victims to it. Today, let's try to analyse this vice, which eats up a big chunk of our mental energy.

So friends, why do we hate others?

If we look into the subject, the most prominent reason that we will find behind hatred is selfishness; i.e., when we see our selfish desires or motives getting hindered, it is then that this vice creeps inside us. Another cause that may be found is: if for some unknown reason somebody hurts us, then we may tend to hate him. Or else, due to our past impressions, we may tend to hate someone at the first sight or others may tend to hate us at first sight too. Hatred can grow as a result of jealousy as well. So, these are the chief causes which are said to give birth to hatred.

Now hatred, whatsoever be the cause, is a vice and definitely needs to be destroyed. Otherwise, remember:Hatred corrodes the vessel in which it is stored.(Chinese Proverb)

True! It destroys our mental energies as we tend to become obsessed with the object of our hatred. Believe it or not, hatred is one of the biggest causes of chronic depression. It is said that an evil thought (here, feelings of hatred and jealousy for others) is thrice cursed. Firstly, it harms the subject, i.e. the one who harbors such negative feelings. Secondly, it harms the object, i.e. the one towards whom that hate is directed. And, thirdly, it harms the entire universe by dissolving more negativity in it.

Next, the question arises: 'What needs to be done?'The following incident suggests an answer:

Once, a person came to a saint and said, “O Master! I try my level best not to give place in my heart to the feelings of hatred and jealousy towards others, especially for those with whom I work. But, despite my efforts, I fail to completely ban such negative feelings from entering inside me. It has become my nature to think negative and unnecessarily hate others. Please suggest some way to me so that I can get rid of this vice.” The saint said, “From today, whenever such negative feelings come in your heart, reveal them to the ones for whom these feelings arise. Tell them that you hate them and are jealous of them. Tell them clearly that you don't like them and that they hold the place of a rival in your life!” The man accepted the advice of the saint and returned. After a couple of days, he went again to the saint and said, “Master! That what you suggested me appeared to be an easy task at the first sight. But, when I actually had to implement it, it turned out to be very difficult! I realised that it is difficult to stop the negative feelings of hatred from entering my heart. But, it is rather more difficult to tell it to others that, I hate them. So, out of the two ways, I have chosen the easier one... I have stopped nurturing hatred towards others.”

But friends, after knowing “What” to do, still an important query remains unanswered. That, “How” to bring about this change?

The best possible solution is to change ourselves or the situation, whichever is easy and wise. Although, out of their growing impatience, people today are opting for the extreme steps; like, breaking the ties of a relationship (divorce in case of couples or break-ups between brothers/friends) or, at times, resorting to violent means like killing the person they hate! Certainly, these options are not advisable. We need to remember that life demands all of us to compromise on many fronts. We can escape the worst if we develop this attribute even a little. It is due to the lack of this virtue of compromise that today we have so much violence and struggles around.

So, how to prepare ourselves to choose for the wise and the right way? This is possible by cultivating love for all in our hearts. As Lord Buddha also says: Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.

Our books of wisdom suggest us a formula in this regard, i.e. 'Cultivating Love through Divine Knowledge.' What happens when a person gets initiated into the Divine Knowledge, meaning, the practical experience of God within?

When a Perfect Master bestows upon us the technique to practically experience the Divine Lord within, we see our true nature in the form of light through the Third Eye. Slowly but steadily it comes to our understanding that the same God is present in all and that we are all different manifestations of the same Divine Light; like, when we see the sunlight through green glass, it appears green and when seen through red glass, it appears red. So the difference is in the superficial manifestation and not the source. This realisation automatically develops love for all, over a period of time, and we come to the understanding which is divine and elevating!

Such Divine Knowledge which makes it possible to have these welcoming substitutions of love and positivity over hatred and negativity can be had even in this age, with the grace of His Holiness Ashutosh Maharaj Ji, Founder and Head of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan.