Hurt

In the worldly life, we encounter many different types of feelings. One such feeling that we often encounter is hurt. Sometimes we feel hurt and sometimes we feel as if we have hurt somebody. Apparently hurt seems to be a very straightforward emotion. However, there are layers and layers of complexities. 

In most simple terms, hurt may be physical. For example, we have hit somebody either deliberately, for example in a fit of anger, or accidentally like hitting somebody while driving the vehicle. The consequences of hurn in such cases are physical and quite apparent. However, here too intention is a very critical factor. Not only in the moral laws, but the element of intention is very strongly built in the legal framework and that is one element that is examined thoroughly by the Judges while deciding the punishment. 

In a spiritual world, intention carries a lot of value. Nobody can develop an intention to hurt somebody unless he has a strong feeling of fear jealousy, hatred, or insecurity. The genesis of all these emotions is ignorance. Out of ignorance, we feel as if we are an individual that is separate from this world. This sense of separation creates all types of fears and insecurities. Initially, all these fears and insecurities, remain in an inert form like a seed in the soil. As we progress in life, without being aware, these insecurities start growing inside our unconscious, like the seed growing inside the soil. At a particular point in time, they come out in the form of a plant and start getting reflected in our behavior. Slowly they take the form of a tree and our entire life is full of fear and insecurities. That is the time when we start hurting others and that is the reason why this has so much significance in the spiritual world. We can not hurt others deliberately unless the seeds of ignorance have grown into trees.

There is one more element of hurt. That is the reaction of the person being hurt. The reaction of the person being hurt will depend upon his level of spiritual maturity. Sometimes a person may feel hurt emotionally even if we have no intention of hurting because the other one is so emotionally fragile. In that case, there is no point in feeling the guilt. I feel that one need not feel the guilt of having hurt somebody because of the reaction of the other person. The barometer should always be what is happening inside. Whether hurt was a result of inner ignorance, fears, and insecurities; or it was because of the immaturity of the person being hurt. 

However, in both cases, there is no point in repenting passively. In the first case, one will start working on inner purification, and in the second case, one will develop compassion and will start helping the other person if that other person allows one to help. If not he will just move away with compassion. Passive feeling of guilt helps nobody. It has no value along the spiritual path. Awareness brings the ability of course correction and a person moving the spiritual path can never feel trapped. Awareness will always show the right path to the one who stays connected to the divine.