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PRACTICAL RULES FOR SOUL-CULTURE
friendship but it has a very comprehensive idea. Mere oral or verbal friendship is sometimes worse than enmity. To be actually friendly with all living beings means that we should at all times think as to the best mode in which we can advance the real interest of all living beings. A constant thought for the good of others not only makes our own mind pure and elevated but the very vibrations of kindly and benevolent thoughts influence the good of those whom they reach. And rarely force in the universe is created which does not in a measure affect others. The good of humanity and of the universe depends therefore on individual thoughts and acts.
The second virtue that I mentioned is pramod, which means gladness at the prosperity of others. So long as we have not recognized the soul, we live on the emotional and passional plane. And so long as we live a life of inharmony, we fatten ourselves on the belongings of others, and competition and jealousy will be the uatural outcome. And there will be a constant desire to live at the sacrifice of other beings. This system of life creates inharmony in the universe, and every act done by us, or thought harboured by us is sure to rebound on us with equal force, Such a life caa never lead us to the ultimate goal or harmony and happiness. Therefore whenever we hear of the prosperity of others, the thought in the mind must be that of genuine sincere gladness and in no way of jealousy.
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