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"mine," to give of oneself without expecting any reward or credit.
Munishree made a habit of always giving first preference to someone else. In that way, he transformed work into a divine service. He felt the effects of service as a burning out of the ego and a purification of his heart. He served his father by complying gladly to whatever he asked of him.
Each day after receiving alms, sponging their bodies, and taking a short rest, the monks would be available to the villagers for advice and help. Later they would give darsan to a large gathering of the people. Darsan carries the special meaning of giving or receiving a vision of divinity. It was sharing in a unifying experience. The guru or one of the monks would lead a meditation, chant sacred mantra, or give pravachana, a talk in which the people would experience directly the insights and pure vibrations. After the people had had a chance to eat dinner and complete their evening tasks, a final darshan was offered outside under the natural light of the moon and stars. Though electricity was sometimes available, it was not used, out of respect for the life of insects who would have flown into it and burned.
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Sitting Close to the Master
Little by little, silence taught Munishree supreme patience with himself and others. The mindmade differences between him and other forms of life began to melt away. The tendency to refute what another was saying was quelled. The rebellious mind drowned itself willingly in the fathomless well of silence. Silence became a beautiful means for him to empty the mind and open the heart. Once he made a spacious roominess inside, he made his vessel worthy to receive the nectar of wisdom. That was one of the first lessons his Master gave. "Empty yourself and clean your vessel. Without first clean
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