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Truthfulness
By Sant Kirpal Singh, excerpts from "The Teachings of Kirpal Singh", Vol. II, page 39 - 41

To crown all these virtues, come truth and good living. One should in the first instance be true to one's self. The trouble with most of us is that our mind, tongue, and actions do not move in unison. We have one thing in the mind, another on our tongue and still another on our hands. You are in the body; God, the controlling Power, is also in the body. If you are true to your own self, you have to fear none. One who does not deceive the God in himself will surely not deceive others either. Before we can deceive others, we first deceive ourselves, and it means that we do not believe in His omnipresence, otherwise we would not do these things. Truth is the greatest of all virtues, true living is greater still.

So one should imbibe first the virtues of truth. Lies, cheating, deceit, hypocrisy, showing something different on the face from whatever is in the heart - these things increase the corruption inside. Keep these facts in mind, for he who has no ill will against anyone will say what is true. His tongue will be sweet because he has no intention to hurt anyone's feelings, but rather speaks frankly for the sake of right understanding. Who speaks the truth without fear? Either an established enemy or a true friend, although the enemy may make a mountain out of a molehill because his intentions are dishonourable and he exaggerates. A true friend will never broadcast one's shortcomings, but with love will try to explain where you are going wrong, with your interests at heart.

Imbibe the virtues of truth and with love encourage better understanding in others. And what is more important, do not fail in your own good intentions and principles because of hearsay or rumours. Some tongues are led by selfish motives with little respect for truth. There is a purpose behind everything which may be obvious or hidden. Do not therefore be a puppet to the tunes played by others; you will do harm to yourself. When a person tells one lie, then one hundred more lies must be told subsequently, to cover up that one. Truth does not mean simply speaking truth but it is a righteous mode of life.

Truth is above all, but higher still is true living. Our actions should be exemplary so that they show and denote that we belong to a noble school of thought, based on truth, piety and love. As God is truth, we must practice truth in all our dealings. If truth resides in every heart, it must manifest itself in life and action. Remember that actions speak louder than words.

If you cultivate the habit of speaking the truth, people around you will act likewise. Thoughts are more potent than words and even stronger than action.

The truth of truths resides in the innermost recesses of the human soul and needs to be dug out, unearthed and freely practised in all our dealings. The true Sound-Principle is the source of all life and it is only by contacting it on the divine ground that we become truly truthful and our life can be moulded on the pattern of truth. By practising truth and living in truth, one gets clothed in the love of the Lord and freely extends love to all and sundry.