Purity,
piety and sanctity are different words from the same family. They seek to convey similar
sense or meaning in different contexts. They are used to indicate the pleasant and
comfortable state of mind on subjects that may otherwise vary from each other. For
example, Piety may be another name given to the pleasantness found in natural bounties.
For a human being, however, piety is not a quality to be acquired, it comes of its own,
automatically. A religious practice or the style of dress can be regarded only the means
to exhibit or demonstrate the piety one pretends. This is because the piety they display
can only be seen; it is there only in the outward appearance. Even otherwise, religious
practices and costumes seem to carry complications only, while piety relates to the
pleasant state of mind. It will not be difficult to reach the goal of piety, purity or
sublimity, if one understands Self in all respects. The one who knows Self, who recognizes
Self, he is the exalted, the pious one. We cannot say he becomes noble, because the
transformation will take place only where the state of exaltation or piety does not
already exist.
Only
the evil minded is required to become pious. Those who are pious, they are just pious.
They just discover their piety or the state of being Sufi. And contrary to it, those who
pretend or appear to be pious, ordinarily declare unto others that they are pious. Truly
speaking, to be pious or a Sufi is so natural that there is no question to consider it
necessary to announce or declare unto others that one is pious. It is another thing that
piety or the Sufi trait shows itself only when one's ego is totally absent. Where there is
ego, there is no piety at all.
The
pretended piety manifests the finest form of ego only. Apparently it is associated with
religious practices, costumes and sectarian considerations. And this is what leads to all
kinds of complications based on dogmas, rituals, customs, principles, discipline and so
on. On the other hand, true piety is totally free from such complications. It knows no
religion; it is neither Hindu, nor Muslim; neither Sikh nor Christian, True piety is piety
only and that is all. Similarly, a Sufi is a Sufi, a noble human being, and that is all.