“Wander not—Focus on one”
Whoever went to the hermitage of the sages with true faith and complete belief, perhaps never returned empty-handed! One day, a beautiful soul entered the hermitage and after greeting the sage, their conversation began!
Traveler – Oh revered one, I am in great dilemma about whose worship to pursue and whose not. My mind sometimes worships one and sometimes another! Sometimes I fear that if I worship one, the other might get upset! Oh revered one, is it necessary to choose only one?
Sage – Your question is truly beautiful, my child! The dilemma you face today is what many face in their lives! It comes into the lives of the best of us!
Traveler – Oh revered one, did this dilemma also come into your life?
Sage – Yes, dear one! Just as you are experiencing it, so did I! We two disciples used to live in the hermitage. One day, our Guru said to us, “I give you both seven days. Dig a pit of 50 feet each, and bring back the water that comes out. Bring me one pot of water from the pit.” He sent us in different directions!
After 7 days, we both returned to the hermitage. My pot was empty, and my friend’s pot was full!
When Guru asked me, I said, “Oh Guru, I dug a pit of 100 feet but didn’t find any water!”
Guru, being omniscient, understood everything and explained to me lovingly!
Guru – Look, my child, you dug pits in ten places, that’s why you didn’t find water. And your friend concentrated all his efforts in one place, and he found water at 50 feet!
The whole world is created by Him, all is His illusion. There is no difference, but there is an image in the mind! When you close your eyes, only that one image appears! Respect everyone, never disrespect anyone! Faith is very important, but don’t become narrow-minded, because generosity is life and narrow-mindedness is death! Just as boundless love is only for one, similarly, there should be only one image in the mind so that we can say,
“In the depths of infinity, it’s only me and my beloved.”
There is only one initiation guru, but there can be many teachers!
And don’t worry, no one will be upset, all are part of the same illusion!
Everyone sings hymns, everyone bows, respect everyone but meditate on one! Just like Arjuna saw only the eye of the bird in target distinction, you also become like Arjuna, then you will see the real fun of life!
Traveler – Whom should I place in my mind?
Guru – Son, you are completely free for this, the one you fear the most, close your eyes and see, whatever image appears first, place that image in your mind! But respect everyone, all are part of the same illusion!
Since that day, everyone sings hymns, everyone takes names, but in the mind, only one image is kept!
Traveler – I bow to you millions of times, master! Now I understand what I have to do!