It was a moonlit night, and all got very drunk. Dawn began breaking over the horizon and the Master said, “Oh, it is morning now and we still have not returned home!” The intoxicating effects of the wine were wearing off by now, and they thought that they had come a long distance. But then, carefully observing their surroundings, they saw to their astonishment that they were where they had boarded the boat the night before! In their intoxication, instead of rowing the boat, they had stayed right where they had started from!
The Sadguru then commented, “The whole night you were rowing and rowing and I was also seated with you. But the boat did not move at all; you are where you were and have not gone a step further. What is the reason for this?”
One replied, “We were drunk and thought we were rowing the boat; in fact, it was tied to the dock all the time!”
The Master explained, “Because of your remaining absorbed in worldly enjoyment, you are exactly where you were. Although I was with you, what could I do when you were merged in material pleasures? In the same way, despite your being with me for years, instead of coming closer to me, you remain drowned in temporal pleasures. What do you expect to gain? How will you benefit by my contact? You will remain as you are!
“Therefore, don’t be a slave to material happiness. Be my slaves and see what you gain without even asking!”
This made all remember their mood of dejection and they trusted and believed what their Master was saying was true.
Baba then explained to the women, “I am showing you beautiful sights, boat riding with you and taking you here and there. All this is to free you from material bondage. Doing all this, all the while I am attentive of whose mind is where, and when I interrupt you in your reveries with a view to free you, you take it ill and your mood is upset.
“If I do not behave like this, of what use would it be your remaining with me for years together? Remember to focus your attention always on me, even while enjoying things. Don’t remain drowned in material pleasures. Don’t give rein to your desires.
“Only love me! When you love me only, then in the intoxication of that love, you will find all physical pleasures lifeless.”
–www.lordmeher.org, p2350
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