The overwhelming presence of material preoccupation in our attention makes for a growing distance from our feelings and this is evident everywhere in the modern society. The reality though is that matter cannot give us joy unless it is used to convey affection.

Wisdom is a mix of discrimination and the intuitive recognition of the virtuous boundaries with the character and action qualities required to follow that.

It is not easy to define in words though we all know it when we see it in full form. Innocence is itself the inner power that automatically, intuitively and without thinking, keeps us away from bad thoughts, choices and deeds.

In the whole world, it is in the culture of India that the beautiful brother-sister bond is probably valued and celebrated the most as a core virtue of society. It is symbolized in a ceremonial string that the sister ties to the brother’s wrist. The string and the relationship it stands for transcend actual blood family relations.

In a third party discussion everyone will readily agree on many broad principles and ways. But the actual happenings of life point to the ongoing pursuance of individualist goals and lifestyles as unfettered and essentially unavoidable, even as pain from common sources touches all of us.

The Sanskrit word “Guru” has concentrated significance. In essence it means “gravity”, the one who has intrinsic gravity beyond that of Mother Earth’s. Thus it can attract upwards, away from materialism of all sorts.

Our true Self offers the ultimate in natural resistance. It cannot be attacked or corrupted in any way. It is so pure and subtle that it cannot be touched by anything material. And in fact the essence of matter is pure - as it is vacuum.

He said that when living on the ground level only, one cannot even imagine that a high building exists and if someone describes Reality from the 10th floor nobody will understand. But if one is helped to climb to second floor, everything changes and the understanding of the reality of verticality is now possible.  

The analogy goes quite far. Just as commercial eggs do not have an embryo and will never give rise to a bird, when we become fully “commercial”, materialistic, the spiritual aim vanishes without trace and no further transformation is possible.

Shri Mataji, the founder of Sahaja Yoga, often says “Why be so serious ?…” It is so true. We live in a most beautiful world, endowed with everything we need to be happy and enjoy together. We have a most amazing amazing body and an even more amazing brain.