Respect begets respect

When people are self-absorbed, it isn’t easy for them to show compassion for others. What can we do about this? Nothing artificial can remedy the situation—and neither elections nor reassignment of functions can change people’s hearts.

It all comes down to people’s love for the Supreme Being and His children. There can’t be much love in a society where people backbite or always find fault with each other. Respect begets respect. You can’t expect spiritual growth to prosper in such a negative environment.

Enhanced spirituality

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught 500 years ago that the best consciousness to be in is to feel lower than the strips of straw on the street, ready to show respect for others. This state of humility enables us to experience enhanced spirituality.

A person cannot be completely happy living only for himself, because each of us is part and parcel of the Supreme Being. Enlightenment should extend into every aspect of an individual’s life—how he treats his friends, family and everyone around him.

How does a person effect change in society? A self-realized being serves from his heart. He lives his life as a medium for the love of the Supreme. His action affects another person, who will in turn affect another—and so on.

The love for the Supreme Being is spread from person to person. When you change a man’s heart, you change the society he inhabits!