The Fun…

THE FUN OF IT IS THAT THE ONE WHO IS SOUGHT IS HIMSELF THE SEEKER

Photo: BABA AT MEHERAZAD 1960

26 APRIL 1960

On the 26th,

BABA was discoursing about the Path when he remarked:

"The fun of it is that the One who is sought is Himself the seeker.

It is the same One God who prompts the seeker to ask,

'Where can I find God?' ... 'How can I find God?'

"The seeker asking 'Where can I find God?'

is really God saying,

'Where indeed is the seeker?' "

A young devotee asked Baba this earnest question one day:

"Will I realize the Truth in this incarnation?"

Baba replied, "Why be so eager, so impatient?

How will you profit by my reply?

If I were to say that you will realize the Truth in this very life,

will you gain anything more

than merely hearing these encouraging words?

And if I were to say, 'No [not this lifetime]'

and that you need many more births to realize the Truth,

you will feel nervous and dejected."

The young man answered,

"Nothing will affect me in either case."

"Then forget your question altogether!

This much is certain,

that the Truth is infinitely more anxious

to reveal Itself through you — and through everyone —

than your seeking It with utmost efforts.

"Even wanting Truth is an unwanted want,

and Truth is far beyond wanting.

You cannot demand Truth; it dawns unawares.

The way lies through successive

unconditional surrenders to the Perfect Master."

Baba continued,

"Again, remember the Path is slippery.

Guard yourself against posing.

It is the worst thing.

Let the lamp of honesty ever burn within you.

Be sincere in your seeking. My nazar is on you. Don't worry."

Explaining to one woman devotee about slander,

Baba cited this couplet of Kabir:

He who slanders me is my friend,

Because with his own soap, he cleanses me of my dirt!

"So," Baba emphasized,

"the first thing required is love.

And the second is do not backbite."

He added,

"Feel glad if anyone slanders you,

and always be careful that you don't slander others."

The woman said, "Baba, I don't slander anyone."

"It is good if you don't slander anyone.

But generally, he who drinks liquor says: '

Do I get intoxicated? I am never drunk!'

"The same is the case with slanderers.

A slanderer will slander,

and if anyone were to draw his attention to it,

he would reply, 'Who says I am slandering? I never slander.' "

The woman said, "But really, I never backbite. It is the truth!"

Baba explained:

If anyone speaks about another's shortcomings behind his back,

even though what he says may be true, it is slander.

What effect do the sanskaras of backbiting produce?

Suppose Mr. A says to Mr. B:

"Mr. C has not come; he is a bad man."

Mr. C is not present.

Mr. A has told this directly to Mr. B.

Consequently, there is an exchange of sanskaras

in an indirect way between Mr. A and Mr. C,

and in a direct way between Mr. A and Mr. B.

Thus, the sanskaras of slandering are of two types —

direct and indirect.

Thereby, the most minute sanskaras are created

and for millions of births it is difficult to be freed from them.

Sanskaras are of seven colors.

Sanskaras of lust and anger have different colors,

and the sanskaras created by backbiting are still deeper.

We do not know them as such,

but they are some of the worst type

and nearly impossible to eradicate.

Viruses are very subtle germs and invisible,

but they are the most troublesome.

Similarly,

the sanskaras of calumny and defamation

are most wicked and troublesome.

Therefore, do not defame or vilify others.

If someone does it to you, you should be pleased.

If someone kicks you, press his leg.

What Christ has said about presenting the other cheek

[if slapped] has meaning.

If you love, you cannot slander.

So try to love all.

If you do it, I will believe in you!

Otherwise, your coming to me has no meaning.

So what is the benefit?

It is the luck of you all that you are connected with me.

If you keep all four fingers in front of your eyes,

you will not be able to see me.

So, how can profound subjects be discussed?

Tukaram has said:

How can I thank the Perfect Master?

He is that one who keeps me alert every moment!

Consequently,

I have been warning you often about backbiting,

and I previously had a Life Circular issued about it.

Observing one woman who looked worried about something,

Baba remarked:

"Shut the trap of your mind and end all your worries.

Open the trap of your heart and release love."

TRY YOUR UTMOST TO KEEP THE HEART PURE

To another who was likewise facing difficulties,

Baba urged: "Don't worry over physical suffering.

Even if the body were cut to pieces,

it matters little in comparison with the heart getting stained.

Try your utmost to keep the heart pure.

Let your faith remain unadulterated.

Through the body, you get a chance to suffer,

but a time gradually comes,

and it must come, when all sufferings are over.

Then you leave the body for good and experience

eternal bliss."

Lord Meher online pp 4666 - 4668

Photo:

© Meher Nazar Publications