Are You Qualified to Advise, Help and Reform Others?
Swami Muktananda: "Not only do scholars, teachers, and those who talk about knowledge and meditation fall victim to ego, that subtle ego also makes them advisers. We never take the time to think about this, but the number of counsellors in the world is amazing. Everyone is eager to become a guru and give advice; everyone is interested in healing. People are ready to give out free advice, since the number of those who want it is so small. It is said that the thing that is most often given away is advice.
"Whenever there is someone giving advice, there are people willing to take it; some people will even listen to a blind man's advice. But a person should try to find out whether the one offering advice follows his own advice, or simply gives it to others.
"A person who gives advice should have the experience with which to back it up; otherwise, how can he be an adviser? A person who lacks experience does not have the eye of Knowledge; he has only a web of words, which is dangerous. If one has not attained Knowledge, if one's behaviour does not befit a wise person, then, one should not try to teach others. That kind of teaching is nothing but rubbish --- the odds and ends of the world." (pgs. 50-51, The Perfect Relationship by Swami Muktananda)
Swami Muktananda: "Before trying to help others, every individual should first improve the way he leads his own life. I meet many people who are trying to improve others but who haven't yet improved themselves. Many tell me, 'I want to offer my service to the world', but when I ask about their own condition, I find that it is terrible. Without first becoming a doctor, how can you help patients? If you have no money in the bank, how can you lend money to others? Before trying to serve society, people should first uplift themselves. Then, they will be able to offer their service to the world in a real way." (pg. 169, I have Become Alive by Swami Muktananda).
Satya Sai Baba: "...YOU must see how much of what is spoken is practised; those who give advice must follow it themselves. If you cannot avoid doing a thing, do not ask others to avoid it...," (pg. 97, Sandeha Nivarini)
"A person who gives advice should have the experience with which to back it up; otherwise, how can he be an adviser? A person who lacks experience does not have the eye of Knowledge; he has only a web of words, which is dangerous. If one has not attained Knowledge, if one's behaviour does not befit a wise person, then, one should not try to teach others. That kind of teaching is nothing but rubbish --- the odds and ends of the world." (pgs. 50-51, The Perfect Relationship by Swami Muktananda)
Satya Sai Baba: "...YOU must see how much of what is spoken is practised; those who give advice must follow it themselves. If you cannot avoid doing a thing, do not ask others to avoid it...," (pg. 97, Sandeha Nivarini)
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