Choose Virtue Over Temptation

On one episode of The Flintstones, Barney is walking with a bag of groceries when suddenly he stumbles into Fred, who's buying a sweepstakes ticket. Barney is offered one, but he doesn’t have the money to buy it. So when Barney is leaving, he wishes Fred good luck and hopes he wins. Because he is a nice guy, generous, kind, unselfish, he deserves it.

When Fred is by himself, the angelic version of him appears on his shoulder, advising him to share the prize of the ticket with Barney if he wins because "What is winning without friends?" And then his devilish version appears on the opposite shoulder, advising him not to share anything, to keep it all to himself.

Fred then decides to share it with his friend. He chose to listen to the higher part of his mind.

And this is what you should strive to do. Pause and listen closely to the whispers of your mind during moments of decision. What is it urging you to do? Is it steering you toward a path of virtue, or is it tempting you to stray?

To the Yogis, this whimsical cartoon is a profound representation of the internal struggle we all face—the battle between the forces urging us to do the 'right' and 'wrong' things. In its higher phases, we call this voice 'conscience.' In its lower phases, we call it 'temptation.'

The ‘I’ represents the Intellect, that part of your mind that reasons. The Spiritual Mind is represented by the angel, guiding you upwards toward nobler deeds. The Instinctive Mind is represented by the devil, always tempting you to pursue and gratify the lower desires.

Pay attention to this internal dialogue. Take deliberate steps to nurture the higher phases of this inner voice—your Spiritual Mind. Reflect on the choices that align with your values and contribute positively to your growth and the world around you. At the same time, acknowledge the lower phases of temptation, those coming from your Instinctive Mind. Awareness is the first step toward overcoming them.

As you face life's endless choices, listen to the higher regions of your mind. A region that will help you make conscious, values-driven, and moral decisions. That will encourage you to do the right thing.

Listen closely, for within you resides a profound wisdom—an inner guide ready to shape your journey towards nobler thoughts and actions.

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