Right Understanding To Help Others

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Mahavideh Foundation

Page 16

Right Understanding to Help Others
Right Understanding to Help Others
Questioner: What if one were to surrender it in the mind?
Dadashri: If you were to surrender in this way, no one would accept the fruit, nor would anyone give either. These are all idle talks. Real religion (dharma) begins only after the Gnani Purush gives you the knowledge of the Self. Thereafter, it will flourish on its own. But worldly interaction (vyavahar dharma) will have to be learned and followed.
Worldly Wealth is a By-product Questioner: Do desire and efforts for worldly prosperity hinder spiritual progress, and if they do, how?
Dadashri: For worldly wealth, you have to go in one direction, and for spiritual wealth, you have to go in the other. So would it not hinder you if were going in the wrong direction?
Questioner: Yes, it would.
Dadashri: Therefore, it becomes a complete obstacle. Spiritualism and materialism lie in opposite directions.
Questioner: How can one do without worldly prosperity?
Dadashri: Has anyone truly become prosperous in this world? Everyone is after worldly prosperity, but has anyone ever really succeeded?
Questioner: Some have, but not everyone.
Dadashri: Man does not have any authority (satta) over this. If nothing is under one's authority, what is the point of all this useless restlessness? It is all meaningless!
Questioner: As long as one has an intense desire for worldly benefits, how can he go towards spirituality?
Dadashri: It is acceptable to have an intense desire. The desire will be there, but that authority is not in your hands.
Questioner: How can the desire be quelled?
Dadashri: The results of the desires will come. You do not have to fret too much for it. Just pursue and carry out your spiritual tasks. Worldly wealth is a by-product. Start your spiritual "production and the by-product of wealth will come to you free of cost.
Questioner: What do you mean by, Performing our spiritual activities"? How are we supposed to do that?
Dadashri: First, do you understand that worldly wealth becomes a byproduct of your spiritual production"?
Questioner: I believe what you are saying, but I do not understand it well.
Dadashri: So if you believe it, then all these worldly comforts are your byproduct. Byproduct means that which is free of cost. You have acquired the temporary happiness in this world, free. In your spiritual happiness-seeking endeavors, you have acquired worldly happiness as a byproduct.
Questioner: I see many people who are not interested in spirituality but are wealthy and happy, all the same.
Dadashri: Yes, you do not see them as being spiritual, but it is because they have practiced spirituality in the past life that they enjoy the worldly happiness in this life.
Questioner: Does that mean that spiritual endeavors of this life will pay off in material wealth in the next life?
Dadashri: Yes, you will reap the benefits in the next life. The fruits will be evident in this life, but that person may even not be spiritually inclined at all.
What is the Intent, Service or Money?
Behind any work there is a purpose. If one has a higher purpose, for example, if one wants to build a hospital for the poor and the needy, if one's intention is to serve others, then the byproduct will be money! Do not think of money as the main