Become Anasuya: Rise above fault-finding
Authored by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
At different levels of consciousness, one experiences knowledge in a myriad of ways. When your consciousness reaches a certain stage, a beautiful quality emerges: Anasuya , one who does not dwell on faults.
If a mirror is covered with dust, you must wipe it clean to see your reflection. But if there is a cataract in your eye, no matter how clean the mirror is, you will still not see clearly. In that case, it's your vision that needs healing. Once the cataract is removed, you'll find the mirror was clean all along.
Some people have a mindset where they find faults even in the best of situations. You may offer them the finest comfort, the best companion, and yet they will pick at something. From a distance, even deep pits are invisible. But as you come closer, even the tiniest holes appear clearly. If your attention is only on the flaws, you will miss the vastness before you. Wisdom cannot blossom within you if you are not in a state of Anasuya. And in such a state, even giving knowledge to such a person becomes futile.
If there is distortion in your vision, you will see distortion in everything. When a relationship breaks, we often remember only the negative qualities in them and say, 'They were never good to begin with.' But is that truly the case or has our perception, in that moment, become clouded – Asuya ? The moment we realise that the problem doesn't lie out there, but in our own perception, half the conflict disappears. Here's another example: imagine someone approaching your home, and the door draws shut because of a strong wind outside. They may assume you saw them coming and shut the door on purpose. That's distorted perception – Asuya. And unfortunately, most people live like this today.
In society today, criticism and complaints have become so common that even praise often feels insincere. But if you truly want the light of knowledge to awaken within you, the first step is to purify your perception.
Wisdom dawns in life only when the mind rises above faults. Seeing faults is easy. Seeing divinity is a spiritual discipline or sadhna. Even in the Bhagwad Gita, Krishn says to Arjun, 'Because you see no faults in Me, though I am so near to you, I will impart to you this most sacred knowledge. You are Anasuya and free of blame.'
To be Anasuya is not just an act of giving others the benefit of doubt; it is a path to keeping your own soul untarnished. So, the next time you find yourself judging someone, pause and ask: Is this really their flaw? Or is it the dust on my lens?
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