Interviewer: Let's talk about the path of the heart — what is referred to in the Eastern tradition as the path of Bhakti. I'd like to also talk about meditation at this point because what we are indicating here is something that is very often misunderstood in regard to meditation. It is believed by many that meditation is an experience of the mind, when in fact it is not — although the mind is involved initially.

Sri Chinmoy: Meditation is something that goes beyond the mind. The mind is limited. It always thinks of “I,” “my” and “mine.” But meditation is unlimited. When we meditate, we become aware of our universal Reality, of our universal Oneness. At that time we become one with our self-giving heart. A tiny drop wholeheartedly gives its reality, its finite existence, to the mighty ocean. When it surrenders its separate existence, it becomes one with the ocean itself. So, when we give, we get infinitely more in return. Self-giving is God-becoming. The moment we give ourselves soulfully, devotedly, unreservedly and unconditionally to the Infinite, we become the Infinite Itself. When we offer our little earthly existence to our Beloved Supreme, we become inseparably one with His universal and transcendental Reality.