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53. Stillness of the Mind
Tometimes there are profound morals in even minor incidents from the lives of the truly great souls. Such an incident took place when Shrimad was staying in Kavitha, One day when Shrimad was delivering a spiritual discourse to a number of people, Shamaljibhai, a farmer from a nearby field, observed the concentration and devotion of these people. He was deeply touched. He picked a few flowers from the field and laid them at Shrimad's feet.
Shrimad, full of compassion, said, "Why pluck so many flowers over a minor matter ?" He paused for a while, and then said, "Your daughter Hira will get better by tomorrow." Shamaljibhai's daughter, Hira, was married and living in a neighbouring village. She had been ill for some time. However, when Shamaljibhai visited her the next day she was much better. Shrimad did not know either of them, however, he had recognised a father's agony over his daughter's illness and used his innate spiritual power to put an end to his worry.
Whilst still in Kavitha, Munishri Mohanlalji asked Shrimad for guidance in stilling his mind. Shrimad suggested : "Do not waste even a moment and you should read and contemplate books which inspire detachment. If you cannot do this then chant with a rosary. If you leave your mind unoccupied, it needs only a moment to destroy everything. Just as a cow needs to keep chewing all the time the mind needs to be fed with fine thoughts all the time. One should not be ruled by the mind but decisions should be made independently of the mind."
On one occasion, after listening to Shrimad's discourse at Zaverchandbhai Sheth's place, Pragjibhai Jethabhai said, "Sir ! I am very much inclined to follow a life of true devotion, but I also have to think about the stomach God has given me? What should I do ?"
Shrimad said, "Let me provide you with a solution ?" and then turned to Shri Zaverchandbhai and asked him to ensure that Pragjibhai was fed daily with a condition that the latter was not to involve himself in any kind of social activity.
Pragjibhai immediately objected saying, "That is not a lifestyle I could lead”. Shrimad said "This soul has, since infinity, been finding excuses for not devoting itself to the cause of liberation. It only cheats itself this way."
