Would the religious and non-religious agree?

Question

Without getting into the exact details of your beliefs, would you say that moral or ethical action leads to a clearer mind?

From your own experience please.

Answer 1

possibly. It would definitely lead to a clearer soul/conscience.

Answer 2

I'd say that it's likely true for the vast majority of people but is by no means a fact of existence. The easiest path to take is the one that aligns itself with your beliefs. If morals and ethics are part of your beliefs system, as it is in some way for most people, it's psychologically easier to abide by them. If they're not an influence, it shouldn't matter one way or the other.

Answer 3

You are looking at the mirror image. A clear mind leads to ethical action.---------------------- In my experience, I have come to the conclusion that the goal of religion and science is enlightenment. As far as I know, morals have never enlightened anyone, but, enlightened individuals always seem to follow a 'sacred' ethic. Transcend morals.

Answer 4

Yes, definitely. I had a problem with a recurring ethical failing about a year ago. Since I started acting in a more ethical manner I have felt a definite difference in the clarity of my thoughts.

Answer 5

Oh yea regardless if a person believes in God or not good morals and ethics will get you very far in life. i fell that they are the most important things to succeed in this world. If you do you will always be happy and nice to everyone. i know i have good ethics and morals and pretty much nothing can bring me down.

Answer 6

Yes, you never have to worry about "what you did" or "what your hiding". Leading a moral and ethical existence is one step to a stress free life. Now snatch the pebble from my hand!

Answer 7

In the Indian tradition there are seven immortals: Aswathama, Bali, Vyas, Hanuman, Vibhishana, Kripacharya and Parashuram. They symbolise certain higher ideals.

Aswathama, the son of Guru Dronacharya, was a mighty warrior. He had even learnt the art of invoking the Brahmastra, the ultimate weapon of destruction. One day, after the Mahabharata war was over, and when the Pandavas were away, he and a posse of men entered the camp of the Pandavas by stealth and killed all the male members in complete disregard of the prevailing ethics of warfare.

He was later overpowered and arrested by the Pandavas. His life was spared but his crown jewel — a gem — was prised out of his head. He was condemned to live for ever, the wound festering, never to heal. It was a warning to future generations that a great warrior's life, bereft of good conduct, is a life given to eternal suffering. That is karmic retribution. Ashwathama's flawed immortality is a grim reminder of the consequences of unethical behaviour.

King Bali is immortalised because even Vishnu had to humble himself as Vamana to conquer him. He stands out for his valour and charity — two great eternal qualities. Bali knew fully well who Vamana was. Yet, he prepared to surrender all he had, to his Lord. So this man of grace is still revered.

Vyas, the great scholar and writer, the author of Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam, is another immortal, a shining beacon of erudition and wisdom. A katha-wachak reading from the holy texts, is said to ascend the Vyaspeeth — blessed by the immortal Vyas. He comes to represent the continuity of erudition, scholarship and the apotheosis of the writer as the ultimate visionary.

Hanuman exemplifies selflessness, courage, devotion, energy, strength and righteous conduct. He stands for the potential that is inherent in all of us. He also represents the air, the atmosphere and thus the life-breath — the prana. Sita is believed to have bestowed on him the boon which made Hanuman ever-youthful, energetic and immortal.

Vibhisana had unshakable faith in what he believed. He was a fearless counsellor of righteousness even when all around him were given to sycophancy and peer pressure. As a follower of right conduct, Vibhisana survived unscathed while tragedy befell the unrighteous king and his followers.

Kripacharya was an extraordinary teacher. To him, all pupils were equal. A guru like Dronacharya favoured Arjuna and sacrificed an equally if not more promising student — he asked Ekalavya for his right thumb. Kripacharya, on the other hand, upheld the highest standards expected of a teacher: He was impartial.

Parashuram was master of martial arts. No one could beat him — whether the tools were astras , sastras or divine weapons. He had no temporal ambition. Had he so wished, he would have been the greatest Chakravarti Samrat India had ever known. But he lived a hermit's life. He was also one who never hesitated to admit a mistake.

During Sita's swayamvar, after Ram had broken the divine bow of Shiva, Parashuram asked both Ram and Lakshman for forgiveness. Despite his excellent qualifications, he did not hesitate to apologise in all humility that he had lost his reason in anger. Parashuram symbolises excellence and strength, tempered by humility.

These seven immortals exemplify certain basic truths, laws and standards of ethical behaviour which transcend time, locale and generation. They are universal and immutable. Their immortality is therefore not mere deathlessness — it is more the immortalising of each divine principle they stood for and upheld even in the face of adversity and pressure.

Answer 8

I think that the lack of the worlds noise and distractions leads to a clearer mind. IMHO.

Answer 9

>It certainly gives you less to have to remember...sort of like telling the truth.<

Answer 10

Yes it does.