This short story, quoting a conversation between Shvetketu and his father, attempts to disclose a profound and subtle teaching of the ancient Indian texts, the Vedas: "Thou Art That ( Twam Tat Asi )."

Everyone has in them the eternal life spark called Atman, which is part of an identical but greater reality called Brahman in the universe.
"Believe me, my son," said Shvetketu's father, a sage. "An invisible and subtle essence is the spirit of the whole universe. It is called Brahmin. It is reality. In man it is called Atman. Thou Art That."
"Explain more to me, father," said Shvetketu.
"So be it, my son. Place this lump of salt in water and return tomorrow morning."
Shvetketu did as he was commanded.

In the morning his father asked him to take out the lump of salt. Shvetketu looked into the water, but could not find the salt, as it had dissolved.
His father then said, "Taste the water. How is it?"
"It is salty" replied Shvetketu.
"Look for the salt again" the father addressed.
"I cannot see the salt, father. I only see water that tastes salty," commented Shvetketu.
Shvetketu's father then said, "In the same way, my son, you cannot see the Sprit. But in truth it is here. An invisible and subtle essence is the spirit of the whole universe. That is Reality. That is Truth. Thou art that (Twam Tat Asi)."

Q: There are many things in nature that cannot be seen, yet we know they are there, e.g. warmth, perfumes from flowers etc. How many can you think of?

Q: There are also qualities in human beings that cannot be seen or measured in any material way, e.g. love, courage. How many can you think of?

Q: Do you think that the non-physical aspects of people and nature are important? What would life be like without them? Is it the physical body that makes a person alive? What is it that brings life? What leaves a person at the time of death?

Q: The Masters of Sahaj Marg have explained that a human being is made up of body, mind and soul. Think about what you must do to care for and maintain the body, the mind and the soul (Atman). Is there a simple way to make sure that all three are taken care of?

O, Master!
Thou art the real goal of human life.
We are yet but slaves of wishes
Putting bar to our advancement,
Thou art the only God and power
To bring us up to that stage.