Ten Days Journey Into The Self

Author(s): Chitrabhanu
Publisher: Jain Meditation International Centre

Page 29

life?" The seer was quiet for a moment and then picked up a mango, held it in his hand and then after a few seconds put it down. His disciples again begged him, "Before you depart, please tell us your secret." Again the seer picked up the mango, and held it, and then put it down. His disciples begged him a third time, "You are leaving, but before you go, won t you explain to us the way and the truth? Again the seer picked up the mango. Then his disciples understood what he was trying to tell them. He was saying, "Find that life is sweet like a mango. And make life sweet like a mango."
If you want happiness, spread happiness. If you want life to be sweet, give sweetness. Do not expect from the world what you are not willing to give. If you want appreciation, show appreciation. If you want understanding, give understanding. When you experience sweetness, you will radiate sweetness all around you. When you inwardly radiate truth and love, you see a different world, live in a different climate. Words, gestures, actions can all convey the sweetness of a mango.
You can be an instrument of sweetness, if your concern is for the other's well-being and growth. The potter often taps the pot to shape it, but not to the breaking point ! Each is ultimately his own potter --each has the right to learn from his own mistakes. But we do not want to let the other destroy himself or others, through his blindness. Therefore we try to give out as much as we can of light and love. We have to have had the experience of certain states of consciousness to know they exist. Children who grow up in slums often do not know forests and streams exist! To them, nature is an unknown land. Also, many people have experienced various pleasures, but they do not know that various states, states of cosmic consciousness, states of bliss exist. (I do not call these "altered" states of consciousness, but "realized" states.) To many these are as unknown as North and South America were to Europeans, when only a few explorers had been there. As with anything which is unknown, fear may come as a barrier to growth. Then we remember that the wind of grace is always blowing, but we must open our sails. Let us concentrate on the treasure of joy which is within.
The light we seek in church and temple we must find within ourselves, through meditation. We find the wellspring in ourselves, not outside. Man is evolution becoming conscious of itself.... Vision and inspiration will come as we meditate....
Thoughts
1. We have not come here to gain material things but to find the positive qualities that are the expression of joy, shining within us. 2. Meditate and open the door to the ultimate center of joy and light within. 3. The wind of grace is always blowing, but we must open our sails.