January 24, 2025
2 min
My master never insisted that I renounce the world and become a swami. He wanted me to experience and decide things for myself. He always said, “Whatever you want to learn from me, learn—but grow independently. Whenever you need my help, I am here.” If I asked him a question he would say, “Are you tired? Can’t you find the answer for yourself? Why should you come to me again and again with questions? I’ll teach you the method of resolving questions, but I will not simply give you answers.”
He tried his best to tempt me with worldly things. He said, “Go into the world; become a high government official. If you are attached to me and only want to be with me, that is not good. I want you to settle in the world. I will bestow wealth on you.”
I told him, “That is not what I want.”
He asked, “Are you sure?” And what he did then you might not believe. He took me into the mountains and said, “You love jewels, don’t you?” It was indeed true; I was inordinately fond of beautiful things. He knew my hidden desire, so he said, “Here, look at this.” I was surprised to see a huge heap of jewels before me. I blinked my eyes in disbelief. I wanted to test whether it was a mirage or something real. He said, “It’s not an illusion. Go on, pick them up. I assure you they’re genuine. Take them. They’re for you. You’ll be the richest man in India. Now, son, let me go. I want to go to the mountains far away.”
My tears started flowing and I said, “Are you throwing me off? Are you telling me to accept these jewels instead of you? I don’t want them. I want to be with you.”
You must decide: how much desire do you have for the world, and how much for the light?
Then he said, “If you want to be with me, look over there. Do you see that lofty flame?” I looked and was astonished to see huge walls of fire. He continued, “If you can go through that fire, you can follow me. Which do you choose? You must decide: how much desire do you have for the world, and how much for the light?”
I said, “I prefer fire to temptations. I want to be reborn. There is no other way.” And thus I chose to follow the path of renunciation.
The path of renunciation is like walking on the razor’s edge. It is so difficult that with every step there is a chance of falling. Selfish desire is the strongest of all the obstacles one encounters. Only those who are fearless and free from the charms, temptations, and attractions of the world can tread this path. One who has directed all of his desires one-pointedly, strengthening only the desire for enlightenment, can succeed.
The path of renunciation is rarely chosen; it is not meant for everyone. But those who enjoy life in renunciation are blessed. The path of action, however, is equally helpful, provided one knows how to do one’s actions selflessly and skillfully, living in the world yet remaining above. The goal of both remains the same.
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