Consciousness Correction

Placed seventh in Consciousness Correction Poetry Contest Sponsored by Unseeking Seeker Consciousness Correction                                     A concerted view of oneself                                     Treating oneself as superior,                                       Judging others as inferior                                  Creates for oneself a deep gulf.                                Pride, disease that grips many men                                  Extends apace far wide and tall,                                   Distances relatives and friends                                And was the cause of Satan`s fall.                                  Excess of pride over time leads                                       To the loss of humility                               And certainly does show the seeds                                    That head to sinful vanity.       It chews the the roots of compassion, Becomes a poison for the soul Spurs the germs of delusion And in time leads to one`s downfall. It breeds the germ of rash anger That gnaws the body and the mind And does give rise to the danger Of gushing ills of every kind. Anger disrupts family life, Spurs wilful wants of tolerance And where frequent disputes are rife Prompts grim domestic violence. Some argue that a pinch of pride Is the root of success in life, Propels man to meet every tide And to overcome every strife. Some claim that bursts of light anger Forge ahead in life work progress, Often break hurdles asunder And induce personal success. Such success is but material, Is deceptive and illusive; Attaining success that`s real Needs correcting one`s perspective. It needs setting the mind to rest, Raising one`s mindful consciousness, Slowly lifting one`s awareness Of the inner self at its best. Consciousness of the inner self, Indeed, spears away all one`s pride, Dispels harsh anger from oneself, Sets ills of vanity aside; It leads to mind`s tranquility, Frees us from wild worries of life, Ushers in true humility And unchains us from daily strife. It is key to securing peace, The gate to real happiness, The fountain of eternal bliss And the true source of joyousness. Real peace and happiness dwell Not in social rank, not in wealth, Not in pride, not in angry cells But deep within one`s inner self, In submitting to the Divine, In chanting sacred hymns.