Passage 8

Tap any word for its meaning.

In plain words

Embodiments of Prema! There is Prema in all of you. Prema is sacred. Prema knows no change. Such sacred Prema you are turning towards worldly things. That is why you become the target of blame and reproach. You must shape your conduct so that it wins the world's approval. You must offer your body to God. You must believe that divinity is within you yourselves. The body has God for its support. So you must use the body for good deeds.

Do not see evil; you must see only good Do not hear evil; you must hear only good Do not speak evil; you must speak only good Do not think evil; you must think only good Do not do evil; you must do only good

In this way you must make every limb of yours fulfil its purpose. You must work with a selfless feeling. But this is not so easy. For in every task a man does there is some self-interest, more or less. Self-interest may be there; that is no wrong. But you must keep it within a limit.

God is an ocean of Ānanda. However big the vessel you take to the ocean of Ānanda, that much Ānanda you receive. So if you want more Ānanda, you must make your ‘vessel’ bigger. That is, your Prema must be Expansion Love, not Contraction Love. Expansive Prema is life itself. Contracted Prema is as good as death. You must foster expansive Prema. You must share it with others. That itself is the sacrifice you must make. “Not by action, not by offspring, not by wealth; by sacrifice alone some have attained immortality.” What must you offer to God? All is God's; there is nothing you can call yours.