4

There is going to come a time when you will say,

I once believed that everyone had to like me,

but now this belief is no more.

I once believed I had to be the best person I could be

in order to be free, but no more.

I once believed that I had to first do everything

I needed to do in the world,

and only when I had done that and I was satisfied

could I turn my attention to Self-discovery.

I once believed that.

I once believed that it was up to someone else

to make me happy.

That seems a long time ago.

I once believed that I was not worthy,

but I see now that was untrue.

I once believed I was not ready,

but that was just another idea.

I once believed that I had to practise more,

meditate longer, be more sincere,

but I saw such things are not required.

Life in itself is neither strenuous nor cruel.

I believed so many things that were untrue.

Then I woke up to the fact that nothing,

apart from misconceptions, veils

the natural freedom I Am.

- Mooji

#happybirthdaymooji

3

But what is there to enjoy in the world? 'Woman and gold'? That is only a momentary pleasure. One moment it exists and the next moment it disappears.

The world is like an overcast sky that steadily pours down rain: the face of the sun is seldom seen. There is mostly suffering in the world. On account of the cloud of 'woman and gold' one cannot see the sun. Some people ask me: 'Sir, why has God created such a world? Is there no way out for us?' I say to them: 'Why shouldn't there be a way out? Take shelter with God and pray to Him with a yearning heart for a favourable wind, that you may have things in your favour. If you call on Him with yearning. He will surely listen to you.'

2

The difficulty is that a man thinks 

he is the doer; it is a mistake. 

It is the higher power which does everything and man is only a tool.

If he accepts that position 

he is free from trouble 

Otherwise he courts it.

🕉 Ramana Maharshi

1

🌺 A certain well-known rich man of Calcutta visited Sri Ramakrishna and in the course of conversation with him had recourse to many a tortuous argument. Sri Ramakrishna said: "What is the good of useless discussion? Go on calling on Him with a simple and believing heart and that will do you good". This advice was not taken in good part by the arrogant visitor, who made the rude remark: "Have you yourself been able to know everything?" Sri Ramakrishna with folded hands and great humility replied: “True, I have not been able to know anything, but then a broomstick, though unclean itself, will cleanse the place it sweeps".

(“Words of the Master: Selected precepts of Sri Ramakrishna”, compiled by Swami Brahmananda, Miscellaneous, 1, p. 79)