May Austerity Be My Protection, and
May I Be Honest, Without Being Naïve
 
 
Carlos Cardoso Aveline
 
 
 
 
 
Om.
 
I live in the sober territory of ethics.
 
I am in unity with all beings, on the level of that which is sincere. The fire of respect for truth defends me.
 
I have nothing in common with anyone on the plane of intentional mistakes.  I reject vices. I repel falsehoods and eliminate impurities.
 
I’m not afraid of paying for my mistakes. I’m in harmony with all beings, as long as the feeling is honest and the purpose, altruistic. I disapprove of anything that is unworthy.
 
Compassion is useful in helping someone to rise above limitations. It is no excuse to adhere to mistakes. I leave aside whoever sees me as a dishonest individual, or expects me to support hypocrisy.
 
The mutual pardon of perverted individuals does not interest me. I ask my soul to protect me from evil disguised under a sheep’s clothing. May my Spirit help me identify any rascal who would like to see me as his colleague.
 
I have nothing in common with people who choose to make conscious mistakes. I adopt as my own the words by Maimonides: I prefer to address myself to one intelligent man, rather than pleasing ten thousand fools. [1]
 
I keep away from the mellifluous mutual compliments of dishonest people. I don’t want to see spirituality where it is not. May austerity be my protection. May I be honest, without being naïve.
 
Universal brotherhood presupposes a pure heart. 
 
I will serenely unmask moral ugliness disguised as noble intentions. I’m going to defend the ethics. I want to sow that which I would like to harvest.
 
Om, Shanti,
Shalom, Amen.  
 
NOTE:
 
[1] “The Guide for the Perplexed”, Maimonides, Dover Publications, New York, 414 pp., see p. 09.
 
000
 
The article “A Prayer to Defend My Soul” was published by the associated websites on 27 September 2020. It is also available on our blog at “The Times of Israel”.
 
000
 
 
000