Thirst and quest

January 1971, Mumbai

Professor Kasturi's English.

1

- "No progress without constraint!" Control heightens power; regulation puts it into the best use. As volunteers trained and eager to serve, where the chance opens up, you are like the young men who were growing up in the (hermitages of old), under the loving care of sages. (Now, these have lost the 'r' and are merely (transformed phonetically, into schools). Discipline comes to the rescue, during crisis, when the world flows towards you, as a dark flood of hate or derision, or when those in whom you put your trust shun contact and shy away. Without discipline, the mind of man is turned into a wild elephant in rut. You have to catch it young and train it so that its strength and skill can be useful to man and harmless to life around. At this period of life, when you are in the flush of youth with your physical, intellectual and mental equipment in perfect trim, you must resolve to keep it running on right; lines, and not injuring itself, or the operators. Discipline must be welcomed; it should not be enforced by an outside agency, like the (organisation) or your parents or friends. It must be spontaneously sought after, and sincerely practised.

2

Prepare yourselves for serving others This birth has been undertaken by you, for this very mission: the mission of crucifying the ego on the cross of compassion. An opportunity to be of some service to fellowmen comes to you as a gift from God. Serve with that sense of gratitude, for it is God who accepts it from you. Prepare yourselves for serving others, not only by learning the skills of first aid, the rules of the road, the technique of blood donation, the art of handling mikes and loudspeakers, wiring and fitting electric lines, etc., but, at the time when you are not actively engaged in some such activity, be busy with , or , fill yourselves with God, lest you go dry and cruel.

3

4

"Do what will win the approval of " Lead simple lives; do not develop an attraction for high life, gaudy outlandish dress and manners; invite the reverential attention of those who need service. They will be kept away if you walk about swell, talk raucously, and begin pushing people around, with swagger and swearing. Test every gesture, every mannerism, every whim of yours, on this touchstone Will this win the approval of ? Here is a young man, whom I will call a good boy! Do you know why? Yesterday, when I moved among the thousands gathered in the , he was standing - a volunteer - on the outer fringe. I shook my little finger at him. This morning, when I went round the same place, he was at the same post of duty but, with his side burns removed! He knew what disapproved, and he corrected himself immediately. I appreciate that. Side burns is a side issue; there are more serious misdemeanours, which you know I do not encourage. Be free from every one of them. When you recognise Me as the dweller in your heart, these will fall off, and you will walk on the path of self-knowledge, self-confidence, self-satisfaction and self-realisation.