Amma always reminds her children that meditation is as valuable as gold. Meditation brings about material prosperity, liberation and peace. Meditation is not just closing one’s eyes and sitting unmoving in one pose. Real meditation is that which sustains awareness of one’s thoughts, words and deeds.
A small thought takes the form of action and burgeons into a mighty river issuing from within us.
At this stage, things are not under our control anymore. At its source, it is not difficult to block or divert a rivulet with just a stone. But when that trickle has become a surging river, it is difficult to control it. Therefore, we should pay utmost attention to our thoughts. When thought has become word, and word has become action, then it is difficult to change its course. That is why it is said that we should be very careful with our thoughts, words and deeds. If a die is faulty, whatever is printed with it will be faulty. Likewise, if we do not mend the mind, the words and actions arising from it will be flawed. Therefore, what we need to do first is to gain control over the mind. The sole means of gaining mastery over the mind is meditation. It is the principle that gives us the experience of silence within.
Many children ask, “Hasn’t God created us to live freely according to our likes? Hasn’t this body been given so that we can enjoy ourselves?” True, we have been given a body so that we may experience material comforts. Roads have been paved so that vehicles may drive along them. But if one drives as one likes, flouting all traffic rules, one will meet with an accident. Likewise, if one lives as one pleases, mishaps will occur. Everything has its dharma, its essential nature. If we move away from dharma to do whatever we like—whether by word or deed—our individuality will be compromised.
A man was walking along a seashore. He chanced upon a curious-looking bottle. When he opened it, a genie appeared. Seeing him shocked and frightened, the genie said, “Do not fear. Because you have liberated me after a long period of imprisonment, I shall be at your service.
I shall offer you three boons. Ask.”
The man asked for his first boon. “Make me the wealthiest man in the world.”
“Boom!” the genie made such a sound, and there appeared a mountain of dollar bills before the man.
“I want the biggest mansion in the world.”
“Boom!” the genie exclaimed for the second time. A huge mansion materialised before the man’s eyes.
For his third boon, the man said, “Make me attractive to all the women in the world!”
“Boom! Boom!” shouted the genie yet again.
Within moments, the man was transformed into a piece of chocolate.
Because he was not able to use his words with discernment, the man was unable to gain anything; he even lost himself. That is why Amma says, “If we speak or act without awareness, we will lose our very individuality.”
Discernment is a boon that God has given to no other being except humans. If we conduct ourselves without sufficiently exercising our power of discrimination, our very life will be compromised. Therefore, the goal behind every action should be to apply the faulty of discernment. Only through discerning actions we can gain everlasting success in life.
The writer is a world-renowned spiritual leader