Foundation for Life

Siddhananda: The other one (showing a small crystal clear stone) (long pause). Okay, they want to know how to live in a holy way in their daily life, [how to] live in a pure way, what basic precept or basic actions [to follow]. How can they do that. How can they just start that way with getting their character more in line with this path or a path of light.

G: Right. To live with honesty, integrity and transparency.

Siddhananda: (pause) They are saying is that more like the foundation for anyone, even if they're not on the path?

G: Yeah, it's a foundation for anyone for life, really.

Siddhananda: Aha. (pause) Okay, they say they have been trying at that kind of thing.

G: What? Why is it trying? Why are you not doing it? (laughing)

Siddhananda: Yeah, they say they have fallen short, they have fallen short of that.

G: Aha. Again, that is a personal choice. If you're fallen short then that's a personal choice. How much do you really want to walk it? There's no reason for falling short of honesty, integrity and transparency.

Siddhananda: Aha. And he said, "well, i'm just a regular human being, i make mistakes," that's what's he's saying.

G: And?

Siddhananda: Yeah. (pause) "I'm not perfect, but, i try again," is what he's saying.

G: Aha. (pause) Yeah. You're the one that chooses your actions, but, you can't choose an action and then use that [excuse] "well i'm not perfect," type of a thing. It's got nothing to do with perfection, it's just basically living with honesty, integrity and transparency.

Siddhananda: (long pause) I think it sounds like he's hearing it, but, he wants to hang on to this justification that i'm not perfect.

G: Yeah, well, i'm sorry i can't help you, goodbye.

Siddhananda: Okay. Nothing is going to penetrate that kind of a thing.

G: No, if you're going to keep the doorway open..  well i'll try and i want to be perfect, i want to be holy, but, i'm not willing to do it, really, then you don't want it. You don't want it. Same thing, you have to want something, nobody can force it, and just because you said i want it, like it's going to be a magic wand.

Siddhananda: Yeah.

G: There's no magic wand, it's your choice in your life, in your lifestyle and, if you're not willing to put in the effort to do it then forget it.

Siddhananda: Yeah, [like] what i'm trying is really a cop out in a lot of ways, sometimes.

G: It is a cop-out. It's hundred percent a cop-out.

Siddhananda: You either live it [or not].

G: You already closed the door.

Siddhananda: Yeah, the justification.

G: Yeah, you closed the door. But, this idea i will try, means you have already decided you're not going to do it.

Siddhananda: Right, because if you are trying, it means there's another part of you that is resisting, and there's that (gesturing with hands moving in opposite directions).

G: Right.

Siddhananda: Yeah, already decided that you're not going to do it.

G: That's right.

Siddhananda: Because you either live it or you don't and you you can't be honest sometimes and dishonest at other [times] and saying you're trying.

G: Right.

Siddhananda: Because the dishonest part is not going to sync up with... it's right.

G: Right, it's already self justifying that you're not going to do it. So, if you're not going to do it, don't come and ask, because you're not ready. You don't want it. You have no intention of it.

Siddhananda: Right.

G: When it's "i'll try" then you have no intention of doing it at all.

Siddhananda: Yeah. It means you're struggling against it, instead of struggling with it, both things.

G: Right.

Siddhananda: Right. So, that took care of that. I mean, why ask that question and then just put that out there, go on your way then.

G: Right.

Siddhananda: Understood, good, okay.