MUZAKRA – 5

COWARDICE IS NOT A VIRTUE

SOUL: What is the difference between self-pity and humility, Lord?

LORD: That is a very good question, My servant, one that shows that you are
trying to improve. Many aspirants mistake self-pity, even cowardice, for humility, and
vice versa. They sometimes ascribe to virtue things that are abominable – the anxiety and
guilt arising from sin, for instance.

Such anxiety is illusion – not virtue. It results in weakness and desperation and
eventual withdrawal from My service. It is rooted in false pride and a misconception of
one’s own strength. Due to pride, one considers himself spiritually advanced. He looks
with indifference on temptations and does not even fear Satan’s snares. He then finds, by
sad experience, that like all other living beings, he is prone to illusion and fall-down. He
is astonished at this fall, having been thoroughly deceived in his expectations. That is the
greatest illusion.

SOUL: But isn’t this human nature, Lord?

LORD: True, but this never happens to a humble man, not to one who is not
puffed up with pride in the body and mind. Nor does it happen to one who is fully
conscious of his dependence on Me, not to one who has complete confidence in Me.

Even if My devotee commits an offense, he is not surprised or put into anxiety. He

has learned, both from his spiritual master and scripture, of the fallible nature of the
individual soul. He therefore knows that his fall results from his immaturity and false
independence. Just depend on Me. Have faith, My servant. I will correct everything and
bring you to perfection in due time.

I told one of my distinguished devotees:

For those who worship Me with love and devotion,

Meditating on Me with intense devotion,
I preserve what they have and supply what they lack,
Making sure they advance and never fall back.

By My grace, he quickly attains perfection,

And finds lasting peace through My direction.

Truly, the spirit-soul cannot be injured in any way. He is eternal and primeval. He
is not slain, even if the body is killed. But this whole material world is an illusion, proved
by the fact that all is temporary. “Time I am,” I told my distinguished devotee,”
omniscient destroyer of worlds.” As time, I destroy all earthly things. Although this
destruction may be painful, it is for the ultimate benefit of all. It reveals the real spiritual
world of eternity, knowledge, and bliss.