“We are builders of our characters. We have different positions, spheres, capacities, privileges, different work to do in the world, different temporal fabrics to raise; but we are all alike in this, — all are architects of fate.”
Life is a sequence of thoughts, each one of which makes us better, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the creation was built to develop character, and we must learn that the trail and sufferings which we suffer help us in our marching forward. A character cannot be designed with comfort and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the character be reinforced, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
Regardless of material wealth or stylish lifestyle, anybody can have a childlike simplicity, which is truly the key to much happiness in daily life. The Guru Granth Sahib is a sacred scripture of the world and is the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs, indicates that when the mind is pure, it quickly recognizes the Truth. However, a multifaceted mind and its thoughts often create complications in the way of living. It then pretends and invites extreme difficulties and related anxieties. Inner simplicity, which is the absence of such self-created, psychological friction, is just what’s needed. A pure mind can live in the eternity of the Now. It brings about a real integration of one’s character.
When someone comes to you, you know he is very educated, his language is lovely, and he speaks to you by the 30 to 45 minutes, but he does not make any impression. Another man comes and he speaks a few words, not well prescribed, imprecise perhaps, all the same, he makes a huge impression. Many of you have seen that. So it is evident that words alone cannot always produce a feeling. What you call the personal charm of the man- that is what goes out and surprise you.
Coming to great philosophers of the history, we always find that it was the character of the man that counted. Now, take all the great writers of the past, the great philosophers. Speaking, how many thoughts have they educated? Take all the sacred scriptures that have been left to us by the recent scholars of the history, take each one of their information and consider them.
The honest thoughts and original that have been imparted in this world up to this time amount to only a handful. Read in their philosophies the thoughts they have left to us. The mystics did not appear to be great to us at the time they were present, and yet we know that they were great mystics in their day. What made them so? Not merely the thoughts they thought, neither the insights they set down nor the speeches they made, it was something else that is now gone, that is their character.
From within it expands outwardly. With inherent simplicity comes a real integration of emotional, intellectual and physical layers of one’s character. The Gurbani tells us that by consistently cultivating good thoughts, we can change the character-formation in us. By aligning our thinking with our true Being within, we can avoid sowing any seeds of ignorance. In other words, by always identifying with the real Being within, one can manifest his spiritual nature in which there are no miracles.
The character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think. Let us not say; every man is the architect of his fortune; but let us say, every man is the architect of his character.
