Himalayan Austerity

Some souls are totally ready for our path. Their hearts are ready, but their minds and vitals are in their own world. Their minds want austerity. If they find a Master in the Himalayan caves, eating only fruits, perhaps they will accept him. Their minds are fixed, that the Master has to be always on the top of the Himalayas. Then their minds will be able to accept the Master. But actually, I have gone through those types of austerities. I do not need them anymore.

Again, if the Master is on the top of the Himalayas, some seekers’ minds may say, “What are you doing? Are you doing anything for the world?” Who will answer that question? No matter what the Master does is wrong for some seekers.

Again, some disciples say, “Whatever the Master wants to do, we shall follow him.” You people are like this. Now my leg is getting massaged. Is there any disciple who is thinking, “Oh Master, you are so bad. You are in the comfort world.” No, they are sympathising with me that my leg muscles badly need a massage.

Disciples will take it one way, and another person, a newcomer, may say, “Oh, he only wants comfort.” I cannot change my way of life because some seekers want to have a Master who is in the Himalayan caves and perhaps lives only on fruits. I cannot do that here. Sometimes the seekers’ hearts and souls do not believe in austerity, but their minds, which are deception incarnate, will say, “Oh, he has to be at the top of the Himalayas all the time.”

Then if those seekers in this lifetime find a Master in the Himalayan caves, after some time the same mind will say, “If you really love God, do you not want to work for God? Then why are you spending your time in the Himalayan caves?” Then the seeker may have another struggle. The mind will take him to the Himalayas, and the same mind will again bring him back again. The judgmental mind can be like that.

Our minds must be flexible enough so that we can learn and unlearn. Both are necessary for our progress in the spiritual life. We must keep our minds young and flexible.

20 February 2006 Malaysia