Heavenly Conduct

Heavenly conduct has repercussions within a human being; it brings the verdure of paradise to the soul. One might seem to be active, but if one is not benefiting spiritually from one’s actions, then they are worthless. Truly virtuous action should spark off divine consciousness in one’s mind; it should make one’s heart beat with a divine rhythm; it should move one’s soul to ecstasy; it should make something tremendous happen within one, to open a window on sublime realities.

What is important as far as the next life is concerned is not what one is doing, but what one is becoming. One may be very busy in life; one may have a long list of achievements to one’s credit; but if one is inwardly unaffected, then one’s actions are futile. What is the good of the wind if it does not carry oxygen? What is the good of water if it does not quench one’s thirst? What is the good of food if it fails to nourish? What is the good of the sun if it does not produce light? If all these things were present without their properties, then they might as well not be there at all.

One who is not fit for heaven utters empty words, which do not echo within him. He acts, but his actions do not touch his soul. On the contrary, the actions of a godly person are spiritual experience in themselves; they provide nourishment for his soul. His external actions deeply stir his innermost being.