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Pure Heart Is The Best Mirror For Reflection Of Truth – Swami Vivekananda

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A sage once told me, ‘To teach others, much intellect and learning are necessary, but not so for your own self illumination.’ Are you pure? If you are pure, you will reach God.

‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.’


If you are not pure, and you know all the sciences in the world, that will not help you at all; you may be buried in all the books you read, but that will not be of much use. It is the heart that reaches the goal. Follow the heart. A pure heart sees beyond the intellect; it gets inspired; it knows things that reason can never know, and whenever there is conflict between the pure heart and the intellect, always side with the pure heart, even if you think what your heart is doing is unreasonable.

When it is desirous of doing good to others, your brain may tell you that it is not politic to do so, but follow your heart, and you will find that you make less mistakes than by following your intellect.

The pure heart is the best mirror for the reflection of truth, so all these disciplines are for the purification of the heart. And as soon as it is pure, all truths flash upon it in a minute; all truth in the universe will manifest in your heart if you are sufficiently pure.

From The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama, 2016), 1.403-04.

Explanation:

Swami Vivekananda's quote, "The pure heart is the best mirror for the reflection of truth," encapsulates a profound spiritual and philosophical insight. Expanding on this, we can delve into the meaning and implications of each element of the statement:

The Pure Heart

A pure heart is often described as one that is free from impurities such as selfishness, greed, anger, jealousy, and malice. It is a heart that embodies virtues like love, compassion, kindness, humility, and sincerity. The idea of purity here is not just about moral cleanliness but also about clarity and openness. A pure heart is open to receiving truth without distortion, biases, or preconceived notions. It is in this openness and receptivity that a pure heart is compared to a mirror.

The Best Mirror

A mirror reflects exactly what is before it, without alteration or distortion, provided it is clean and unblemished. Similarly, a pure heart, being free of the distortions caused by negative emotions and thoughts, can reflect the truth accurately. This analogy suggests that the clearer and more purified one's heart is, the more accurately it can perceive and reflect truth. Just as a smudged or dirty mirror would distort the image it reflects, a heart tainted by negative qualities would distort the truth.

The Reflection of Truth

Truth in this context can be interpreted in various ways, including spiritual truth, moral truth, or even the reality of the world around us. Swami Vivekananda, being a spiritual leader, likely referred to a deeper, spiritual truth – the ultimate reality or the essence of existence. When he speaks of the heart reflecting truth, he implies that an individual's understanding of this profound truth is best achieved through a heart that is pure and uncontaminated.

Practical Implications

  1. Personal Growth: The quote encourages individuals to cultivate purity in their hearts. This can be achieved through practices such as meditation, self-reflection, compassion, and living a life of integrity.

  2. Perception of Reality: It implies that our perception of reality is influenced by the state of our inner being. To see things as they truly are, one must work on inner purification.

  3. Spiritual Practice: For those on a spiritual path, this quote underscores the importance of inner work. External rituals and practices are secondary to the purification of the heart.

  4. Interpersonal Relationships: In our interactions with others, a pure heart enables us to see and understand others more clearly and truthfully, fostering empathy and genuine connections.

Swami Vivekananda's statement is a call to inner purification and spiritual growth. By cultivating a pure heart, one can perceive and reflect the truth more clearly, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself, others, and the ultimate reality. This process of purification and truthful reflection is essential for both personal and spiritual development, making the pure heart indeed the best mirror for the reflection of truth.