We don’t value austerity in the world where we live. Most of us don’t know what it is or why it’s important, which is unfortunate. The main goal of modern society is to let people enjoy and use all kinds of sensory pleasures without limits.
Well, what’s wrong with enjoyment? You might think.
First it’s a waste of time and energy which can be used in some constructive work. And second, you miss higher bliss and enjoyment in connection with divine.
The path of Yoga is on the other extreme. They recommend bizarre and impractical austerities like standing in icy cold water in the winter and sit around a fire in the summer, eat less, and live lonely life.
This kind of thing… Forget it!
Real austerity, according to Bhagavad Gita, is giving up of bad habits and refusing to give in to temptations of the mind, body, and senses.
You might wonder, why it’s important to do austerity?
I will answer it clearly and bluntly: we are not animals, we are humans!
We have the power to stop manifesting up in our actions of what we see, speak, and think. This is something exclusive to us as humans which animals do not possess.
We have been bestowed with these gifts by God and it is our responsibility to use them wisely.
We need to live a life of austerity to make sure that our lives have meaning and purpose and that we can spend our energy and time in what we value.
Also, the main purpose of austerities is to connect with God and experience eternal peace and happiness.
Let me explain what austerity means!
The first step in giving up bad habits is to do something good instead of something bad. By good habits we can give up bad habits.
Good habits must be cultured at physical, verbal, and mental level.
But to develop good habits there can be some discomfort to begin with and you might have to apply some energy. And that’s why getting free of bad habits by developing good habits is an austerity.
Now, what are the necessary austerity measures we should take on these three levels.
Austerity at Physical level
- Following instructions of God, wise men trained in scriptures,and Guru.
- Keep clean your body and environment you live in.
- Avoid life of luxury because it will make you lazy.
- Practice celibacy.
- Avoid physical abuse and violence, and forgive even an aggressor.
Austerity of speech
- Be polite.
- Be truthful.
- Speak truth in a pleasing and beneficial manner.
- Study scriptures.
Austerity of mind
- Be satisfied and content
- Think of God
- Develop self-control
If you practice austerity of body, speech, and mind, you will be peaceful, completely satisfied and come close to God. And above all become a better human being. Is it not what everyone wants deep within his or her heart?