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Love - The Instrument Of Transformation
Every new expression of Master's Divine love strengthens us in our love
for him. This is the secret of Master's magnetic hold on all those who
come into contact with him. Time and again I have seen strangers come
into his presence who, when they leave after even a brief chat with
him, leave as lovers of the master. Many have confided that even after
a few minutes with Master they have felt as if they have known him all
their lives. My Master's spiritual aid is his invincible love in its
purest, holiest form - and what is there that can stand up to it and
be unconquered? Others may use power, fear, or temptation as instruments
to bind their disciples to themselves. My Master's sole instrument is
his Divine love for all mankind which demands nothing in return - or
if he at all asks for anything it is nothing but our hearts.
I think that because Master's love is so pure and holy, his devotees
are able to love him for himself alone. Master's love is so pure and
undemanding that abhyasis are able to develop a reciprocal love, purer
and undemanding in progressively increasing degrees. As this love develops
in the abhyasi, a stage comes when the idea of 'transactions' cease.
There is no more the question of love for, or with an aim. Love is there
because one can no longer live without that love for the Master in the
heart. It is a strangely surprising and beautiful thing, but at this
stage the idea of being loved by the Master seems to lose its importance.
What becomes all-important is the love in one's own heart for the Master.
As this love grows and grows, a stage comes when it seems as if the
heart would verily explode. I consider the growth of this Divine Love
to be the greatest miracle in the spiritual development of a person.
There is no longer even the faintest thought of what Master can give.
Even the Divine gift of liberation, which Master can bestow by a mere
glance, loses its importance. All that the aspirant yearns for is to
be with his Master, his true beloved. As we bestow our love, Master
bestows his love on us, and this is grace, this is liberation, and this
is the total realisation of the aim of spiritual sadhana.
I once asked Master to reveal to me the secret of quick progress in
spirituality. Master said "Create love in yourself, and then see
the progress.'' Really speaking, love can conquer all and love alone
can do this. Everything else, every other force or power, creates a
reaction which is not favourable. If you are annoyed you transmit anger,
and the other person becomes angry in turn. If you use physical force,
that too creates resistance followed by a reaction on its own plane.
It is the same with everything else. But if you create love in your
heart, then the reaction is also of love and love alone - and see, your
job is done! So create love. It is with love that our ancient rishis
were able to live in jungles with wild animals all around them. Love
conquers even the wild animals. I am telling you one thing. If there
is love in your heart for the Master, then the Master begins to love
you. If you can bring this about then your work is almost done.
The important thing is to knock on the door of his heart so vigorously
that he is compelled to open it to you. Then what to say of progress,
everything is there for you.
What is the abhyasi's real duty? In my opinion he must do everything
to make the Master turn towards him - and once that is done the abhyasi
can sit back and let the Master work for him. Who can resist love? As
the abhyasi's love grows, so also the Master's love grows. And the Master
now begins to think what he can do for the abhyasi. It is no longer
necessary for the abhyasi to ask. What is there to ask for when the
giver is himself thinking about what to give and when? Really speaking,
a true Master is nothing but a mirror. What the abhyasi places before
it, is reflected by it. You understand this? In the Master himself there
is nothing. You only take from him what you yourself put into him. Now,
I am telling you something. There are people who accuse the guru of
being partial to one or another of the abhyasis. Do you see how wrong
this idea is? And it is also dangerous, for the idea of distrust and
hatred may grow, and these also will be reflected. So we must create
love and then see its working. I say it is the most potent power of
Divinity."
In my own experience I have known this love of Master for the abhyasi
working miracles. Master's love has brought about transformations in
the character of abhyasis which no threat or use of power could have
brought about. When we are afraid of our Master we do not really change
or permit transformation in ourselves.
How does his love work to transform us? When we know that Master loves
us, we begin to feel we must deserve that love. This is the first step
in self-evaluation which automatically creates cooperation in the abhyasis.
We go on and on, on the spiritual path. To be tempted, or to have to
face temptation, is common to all of us. But one who is loved by the
Master is immensely superior in his equipment to face trials. At every
turn of life when temptations pose a sore trial we ask ourselves, "Would
Master approve of this if I did it? What would he feel if I should succumb
and fall? Would I not be the cause of much sorrow and disappointment
to him if I fail him now after he has bestowed so much labour and love
on my spiritual development?" Such questions addressed to ourselves
put the matter in clear perspective and, even in the very process of
asking them, the temptation is gone. When we realise this, that the
trying situation no more challenges us but seems to have disappeared
almost like a mirage, then gratitude wells up in the heart for the Grace
that averted possible disaster. This in turn strengthens the love in
the heart, and so it goes on, every temptation no longer a danger to
us, but merely an instrument for strengthening our love for the Master,
and making it more and more part of our very essence. Thus love achieves
what fear never can, and never will, achieve. Love does not merely strengthen
us, but transforms us into vessels containing Divine love, as it were.
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