Shri Mataji

Meditation is the only way you can grow. There’s no other way out. Because when you meditate you are in silence; you are in thoughtless awareness. Then the growth of awareness takes place; then it opens out. But if you are thinking – supposing there is a lake and the lake is completely in a turmoil. Nothing can grow. But supposing it is silent, then lotuses can grow; anything can grow in it. In the same way, if your mind is agitated and your growth is not yet fully expressing itself, then it’s such a vicious circle that you are agitated and your growth is hindered. Again you are agitated; your growth is hindered.  

So the best way is to take to meditation. When you take to meditation this turmoil will settle down. And when it will settle down, your growth will take place. After meditation you’ll feel definitely that you have come out very well; you have grown very well. But for that one has to be very honest. You cannot force people to be honest. That’s one thing you can’t do. You have to be honest yourself. You are not to be hypocrite. You have to see for yourself that whatever you are doing is for your benevolence, is for your good, and that you have to do it because it is good for you, to begin with. And then for the good of the humanity. You are doing for the good of the humanity.  

Now some people who come for the first time will have lots of doubts because of ego. They have lots of doubts because of ego. “How can that be? How can this be? How?” I mean, all kinds of things they ask. Now, you have to say that first of all you develop your insight. You develop your enlightenment. Your light is not sufficient. In the light only there are no doubts. Supposing in darkness you think that this table has no cover. Is all right. You can think whatever you like, but when there is light you see for yourself there is a beautiful cover on top of this table.  

In the same way, it happens to us that we have to achieve a state. And once we achieve that state then there’s no question, there’s no doubt, there’s nothing, and you become so empowered. It is such a simultaneous thing. It works. As soon as you achieve something, it works. When it works, then you are convinced. It’s a, I’d say, is a very beautiful new chain starts within yourself and then you really starts enjoying your joy of your Self.

Shri Mataji, New York, 27 July, 1988