The You That You Want to Change

— Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Being in a crowd when you are alone is ignorance.

Enlightenment is being alone in a crowd; a feeling of oneness in a crowd – this is a sign of wisdom.

Some know how to celebrate only when they are in a crowd;

Some can rejoice only alone in silence. I tell you to do both.

Knowledge of life brings confidence, and knowledge of death makes you fearless and centred.

Celebrate while you are alone and Celebrate when you are with people. Celebrate the silence and Celebrate the noise. Celebrate life and celebrate death. This is the Eleventh Commandment! New Delhi, India

March 13, 1997

Senses and Habits

The senses are like fire. Whatever you put into your senses burns in this fire.

A fire of toxic material creates pollution and bad smell. But if you burn sandalwood, it creates fragrance.

The same fire that supports life can also destroy. A fire can heat your home or burn it down. Celebration happens around a bonfire. Grief happens around the fire of cremation. A burning tire creates toxic fumes. A ghee lamp lights your way and purifies the surroundings.

Does your fire create smoke and pollution – or are you like a camphor flame that creates light and fragrance? A saint creates light and the fragrance of love. He is the friend of life.

A fire that creates light and warmth is of high quality. A fire that creates light and a little smoke is of medium quality. The fire that creates smoke and darkness is of low quality. Learn to distinguish these different fires.

When your senses are engaged in goodness, then you will create light and fragrance; When engaged in impurity, you create smoke and darkness.

It is sanyamathat transforms the quality of fire in you.

(to be continued)

Montreal Ashram, Quebec, Canada July 24, 1995