Transmutation of Personality through Preksha Meditation

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 94

mental groundwork of meditation is not laid. When a deep curiosity to know himself is aroused in a man, the path of sadhana becomes clear of itself. Because there is not much distance between irresistible curiosity and the path. Curiosity creates restlessness in the mind. When that restlessness reaches its summit, the path of sadhana stands clearly marked out.
A young seeker approached a monk and said, "Gurudev! I aspire after spirituality. Kindly show me the path of sadhana." The monk said, “Pupil! This is good. You have completed your studies. Now you wish to enter the field of sadhana. It is a pointer to your prosperous future. I'll certainly tell you the secret of sadhana, but not today. Come to me after a week." The youngman returned after a week, and said, "Sir! one week is past, now kindly show me the path." However, the monk asked him to wait , for another two weeks. The pupil was very modest. He accepted the guru's direction and waited for another two weeks. After two weeks, he returned to the monk, but the monk again turned him back and asked him to come after three weeks. Thus, many months passed. One day, the disciple got very impatient and said, "What's the matter, Gurudev? Why are you putting me off for ever? Do you think I'm not fit for sadhana?" The monk said, "All right, let's go! I'll show you the path of sadhana today."
The monk took the youngman across the city to the bank of the river. They rested there for a little while and then the monk said, "Son! The flowing water is cool and clear. Wash your face and hands." As the disciple descended into the stream, the monk caught him by the head and pushed him further down into the river. The pupil rose up immediately, but the monk's grip was strong and he did not let the disciple emerge out of the water. The latter tossed and tumbled about in pain. If he took a breath, his mouth and nose were filled with water, if he held his breath, he felt suffocated. He could not keep in water for
w
79