The Destructive Power of Lies.
Our actions have an impact that transcends us.
Little lies can cause enormous damage, just like tiny termites that bore and erode until an entire building collapses. In Vedanta, the ethics of truth are fundamental, as they represent our true divine nature. As stated in the Bhagavad Gita (XVI.1-3), it is essential to banish falsehood and be sincere in one's actions. Telling untruths, however harmless they may seem, goes against this cardinal principle.
In everyday life we are often tempted to tell some “little white lies”, to avoid an embarrassing situation, not to disappoint someone or simply out of convenience. But every time we consciously choose deception, we betray ourselves and others. As the Upanishads state (Chandogya Upanishad VI.8.7), our most actual essence is Sat-Chit-Ananda: Truth-Consciousness-Bliss. When we speak falsely, we veil this inner light and distance ourselves from our divine nature.
Furthermore, in today's hyper-connected world, our every word and action has the potential to spread very far, well beyond our intentions. A little lie told for convenience to a friend can be misinterpreted and distorted, generating unexpected misunderstandings in a chain reaction. Like ripples in a pond that spread ever wider when a stone is dropped in it, so do our words have an impact that transcends our limited perspective.
To remind ourselves of the importance of living by the true Self, the Vedanta tradition meditates on the mantra Sat Nam. The Sanskrit phrase Sat Nam translates to “whose name is truth,” “true name,” or “truth is my identity.” Sat means truth or honesty, while Nam means name or identity. Chanting Sat Nam thus reconnects us to our absolute essence of pure truth, beyond misleading appearances.
By integrating Sat Nam into our awareness, truth will become our natural state. As stated in the Brahma Sutras (I.1.4), truth is the very essence of the Divine from which everything emanates. Living sincerely is not always easy, it requires constant commitment and vigilance. When we feel the temptation to tell a lie, let us pause for a moment. Let us ask ourselves whether we are protecting something superficial and illusory like our image or status. Let us remember that we are all interdependent, so each of our actions has an impact that transcends us. Finally, let us return to the breath and the inner awareness of Sat Nam.
Over time and with regular practice, we will strengthen our ethical muscles and be more inclined to instinctively choose the path of sincerity. We will perceive how fleeting the benefits of lying are, and how much it separates us from others. We will therefore act with greater integrity, born of love for ourselves and truth.
As an ancient Vedantic saying goes: “Truth is the highest moral law.” It is not about being rigidly honest, but about living by the highest values, those of the soul. With kindness, sincerity and awareness, we can embody a little more light in the world. Small individual actions have a collective impact. And if everyone does their part, together we will build a more transparent, compassionate and trustworthy society.
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