Suppose someone we know does something so shocking that we feel, “I don’t want anything to do with such a horrible person.” While our shock is understandable, our assessment may be unfair. 

Why? Because sometimes even good people act out of character. How people act isn’t determined only by their values and purposes, which are the essence of their character. It is also determined by their conditions and conditionings, which may impel them to act out of character. We may object, “Won’t a truly principled person never act out of character?” “Never” may be too strong a word; the world can subject people to such overwhelming conditions or overpowering conditionings that we can’t even imagine. 

Haven’t we all done things we aren’t proud of? During high-pressure moments, haven’t we faltered and fallen? If someone judged us solely by our worst actions, we would protest, “That’s unfair. Why don’t you look at my overall conduct in life?”

If we don’t want others to hold us to an unrealistically high standard, how can hold them to such a standard? Even God himself doesn’t hold people to that standard. Krishna declares that even if people do something grievous, they are to be considered well-situated if they are striving to live virtuously, specifically by being steadily devoted to him (Bhagavad-gita 09.30). Their devotional connection will gradually reform them (09.31).

The world can be cruel; sooner or later, it will wound us all, just in different ways. We need to be each other’s comrades, not critics. By being considerate and compassionate, we can help each other cast away our worst and manifest our best. 

One-sentence summary:

Those who do bad things aren’t necessarily bad people — focus on their overall actions, not their occasional deviations. 

Think it over:

  • What factors determine how people act?
  • Have you ever been judged unfairly based on your worst actions? How did you feel at that time?
  • Are you being too hard on someone? How can you shift your role from their critic to their comrade?

***

09.30: Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.

To know more about this verse, please click on the image
Explanation of article:

Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save”