In plain words
The Very Lack of a Spiritual Atmosphere Is the Cause of Spirituality Declining
Another example. We filled an earthen vessel to the brim with water and set it down. We put that clay pot away safely in a place where not even an ant could touch it. When we look on the second day, the water in that vessel will have gone down by one or two inches. What is the reason? Because the air outside warms this vessel somewhat, the vessel itself is drinking up the water in it. But when we fill that same earthen vessel with water to its neck and set it outside in water up to its neck, not one drop of the water in that vessel can grow less. In the same way, by entering these summer classes and staying here for a month, you have filled your heart's vessel, within, with what is called the nectar of the spirit. Once you have filled it, when you go back to your own place, there is the chance that, because this spiritual atmosphere is not there, the spiritual nectar within you will gradually dwindle. Instead, if there too, now and then, you join such satsaṅga and keep reflecting on the things you heard and the things the elders taught, and join that company to this company, the sacred essence you have filled will not dwindle at all: this you must believe. At one time or another, many kinds of company gather. At some time, even bad people may find the chance to join our company. At such a time, whatever evil deeds they may speak, do or practise, we must set about giving them only the sacred feelings we have filled ourselves with. When a hard axe strikes a sandalwood tree, that tree, without grieving in the least, gives the fragrance within it even to that hard axe, and does not revile it in the least. But however many ways you torment sandalwood, however many ways you rub it down on a stone, it gives the fragrance within it to whatever comes to it. These are the marks of the good. Do you know what punishment the axe that struck that sandalwood tree receives? Now and then the axe is put through the rite of fire and beaten with a hammer: in many ways the punishment comes upon it.