Swami Sivananda Vani

[Guest guest]

BE STILL: A Sanskrit professor from Gwalior arrived at the Ashram. He

had gone through the Master's book on Brahmacharya and had benefited

greatly. He referred to the book, Conquest of Mind. The Master

gave a copy to the professor, who said that it would help him greatly

in guiding a student doing his thesis for a doctorate.

 

" Are you my professor or student? " asked the Master.

 

" You are my professor; I am your student, " came the reply.

 

" Head of department, sir! "

 

" There, not here! "

 

As the Master got up from his seat and began to move slowly through

the devotees lining his path, a visitor burst out with a few lines

from Thayumanavar:

 

" O Lord, give me that state where the mind melts,

where acts cease, where all is quiet " .

 

" Yes, be still, be quiet, " said the Master. " But let the hands be

working. Give the mind to God and the hands to work. Quiet within,

active without. Be a witness of the world-show. "

 

And slowly the Master wended his way back to his quarters, muttering

prayers and Mantras. At the entrance to his cottage, he took leave of

the devotees with folded palms and short prayers from the different

religions.

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" From a doctor, you get a prescription. From two doctors, you get

consultation. From three doctors, you get your own cremation. Even so,

if you have many Gurus, you will be bewildered. You will be at a loss

to know what to do. One Guru will tell you: " Do Soham Japa. " Another

will tell you: " Do Japa of Sri Ram. " A third Guru will tell you: " Hear

Anahata sounds. " You will be puzzled. Stick to one Guru and follow his

instructions. Listen to all, but follow one. Respect all, but adore

one. Gather knowledge from all, but adopt the teachings of one Master.

Then you will have rapid spiritual progress. " - Swami Sivananda