In my view, meditation is the essence
of all religious practice.
All the rest –
such as non-violence,
renunciation of wealth, celibacy etc. –
are just its consequences.
With the attainment of samadhi,
the culmination of meditation,
all these things come by themselves,
they just happen naturally.
Since we forgot this central sadhana
all our efforts have been external and superficial.
True sadhana is not just ethical,
it is basically yoga practice.
Ethics alone are negative
and nothing enduring can be constructed on negation.
Yoga is positive and can therefore form a base.
I want to convey this positive basis to all.
1964
14. Love.
I have received your very affectionate letter.
You write that my words ring in your ears;
what I want is for their echo to carry you
into that space where everything is silent, empty.
This is the way from words to emptiness.
There one meets oneself.
I am in bliss.
Take my love.
I have nothing else to offer, it is my only wealth.
The marvel of it is that the more of it you give
the more it becomes.
Real wealth is like that –
it grows as you give it away;
and if it diminishes – it is not wealth at all.
Write again,
for not only do you wait for my letters,
I too wait for yours.
15. Love.
On returning from the meditation camp
I had to leave town again.
I returned only last night but I thought of you all the time.
I cannot forget the thirst for God I saw in your eyes
and the striving for truth in your heart.
This is a blessing because no one can attain
without passing through this anguish.
Remember, thirst is a prerequisite
for the birth of light and love.
Together, light and love are God.
When love has no limits
its flame becomes smokeless and so divine.