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Chapter Realization of Soul through Serenity
We are considering the characteristics for getting worthy of leading a religious life. Religion is a noble asset. One needs to have the required attributes in order to resort to it; otherwise he is likely to be deceptive in his approach. Many people resort to religious life in order to conceal their own drawbacks. One who talks of a religious life, but stays oblivious of his faults, is a hypocrite; he disgraces the very concept of religion.
Just as the purity of gold is required to be tested, so is it necessary to test the attributes of a person. If one hesitates to put his gold to test, if he refuses to cut or heat it for that purpose, there is a possibility of his gold being impure. The same way it is necessary to put a man to test in order to ascertain his claim to be religious. If religion truly pervades in his life, he could reach a high level of spirituality, to the level of divinity.
One who is not serene, whose approach is shallow and is not inclined to go to the depth, fails to realize the true nature of religion. Those in search of pearls need to dive deep to the bottom of the sea; floating at the upper level would not serve the purpose. Similarly it is necessary to cultivate serenity in order to learn the true value of life. In the absence of serenity, one can sacrifice not only the truth, but even his self in order to gain wealth or power. For the sake of worldly
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