Way of The Seekers — Page 38
38 THE What are good deeds? Good deeds are deeds which bring a person enough strength to join the onward march in the hereafter and which makes the soul capable of viewing the face of the Lord. Normally, a healthy person means one who is capable of going about life’s activities in a normal way. One does not have to be extra-capable. One has to be just capable. Otherwise, small defects exist in everyone. Doctors cannot point to a single perfectly healthy body. A good man is one who has done enough good deeds both physical and spiritual to be capable of viewing the face of God. Kinds of Virtues and Vices We cannot give an adequate account of the different kinds of sin, unless we can also describe different kinds of virtue. So, let us remember, there are three kinds of virtues and cor- respondingly three different kinds of vices or sins. They are as follows: 1. Virtues and vices which pertain to the heart. These indeed are the real virtues or vices. 2. Virtues and vices of the tongue or expression. 3. Virtues and vices which entail the use of the other physical organs like hands, feet, eyes, etc. , etc. Where Does Sin Come From? Here an important question arises. It may be asked with so many encouragements towards a life of virtue and so many discouragements towards a life of vice, and so much room for improvement, how does vice manage to enter the life of man? I can only briefly indicate the answers to this important question. The main causes of sin are the following. (1) Ignor- ance. Sometimes a person allows himself no time for reflection while trying to satisfy his natural impulses and allows a passing interest or pleasure to determine his action. The excitement of the moment removes from his view the more permanent and the more solidly happy ends of life.