“No Niket, I do not agree with you on this,” argued Saumya. A group of eight close friends, in their late twenties, had gathered at the home of Prakash and Rahul for their fortnightly meeting. They were supremely blessed to have a Guru in their life and endeavoured to live a life guided by Him.

The amicable sharing soon turned into a discussion when Aashirwad, albeit a bit strongly, accused all the friends that they were wasting a once-in-a-million birth opportunity – that of harbouring a close, connected relationship with their Guru. It all started when Aashirwad said, “You know something, many a times I think we are like that shipwreck tourist lost at sea. He is surviving on a shaky plank but yet does not realise this and continues to feel security and happiness on the plank, simply waving away at the steamer that has come to rescue him. At best he takes in a load of supplies from the steamer, thanks the captain but it does not strike him that the steamer is for a much higher purpose – to rescue him away from the perilous sea, where his days are numbered.”

That is when Niket, who openly spoke his mind, added the punch, “Yes, we are too busy in our routine life to even take note of what an invaluable gift we have received. We are no better than the fool who spent the night throwing stones into the river only to realise at the crack of dawn, with the last stone about to be casted away, that they were precious stones!”

“But Aashu, how can you accuse us of that? Aren’t we doing all we can? Attending discourses, meetings, practising our rituals daily and spending weekends at the Ashram? What more can one do?” retorted Saumya.

“Saumya, if you intended to have a good time in the rains how much time would you spend there?” inquired Prem. “Till I am drenched completely and have had a gala time,” he replied.“This is exactly the point. If you are here to get drenched in grace and devotion then how can you be content with just a few activities while there is so much yet left to experience with Him?” explained Prem.

Now it was the usually silent Rahul who spoke. “I remember a quote. It said ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.’ Is this what you are trying to say?” “Yes Rahul,” answered Satya on behalf of Prem. “We have the wonderful opportunity of being lit by a glowing flame, but are we willing and ready?” Niket could not hold himself back, “Rare are the people who recognise a living Master. Thousands throng to ashrams of saints who are no longer in flesh and blood, but how many are ready to sweetly surrender to a living Master who can elevate them and alleviate them of all pain? Isn’t it a shame that people worship torches, after the flame has passed on; instead of seeking refuge in the shelter of a glowing flame?”

“But why do people do that?” inquired Prakash.

Aashirwad replied, “The reason is not that obvious and thus many people miss it.”

“And what is that?” an excited Neer asked. “It is because people are not ready to put their ego on the anvil. As simple and as difficult as that” said Aashirwad, with a hint of pain in his eyes. Niket added with scorn, “I often wonder if people are clear why they have come to a Guru. Is their purpose to decorate their worldly lives or is it to become free from this dream of worldly life?” Satya said, “Some prefer to get entertained by the interesting topics of spirituality, substituting the purpose of getting transformed with that of becoming informed.”

“I guess many people are not ready to bend in sweet surrender and awaken with His wisdom, because the price one needs to pay is that of the ego. And that is too dear for the one who has not realised its worthlessness,” said Prem. “That is why we see people worshipping photographs of inferno but refuse to come close to a lit lamp. It is this fear of their ego getting burnt that keeps them away from a living Guru,” said Niket.

“Another way people fool themselves is by believing that if they cannot complete their transformation in the Guru’s presence, they will be able to do it even after the Guru leaves His mortal body. That they will dance without the music on, when they did not when it was playing,” Niket added strongly.

“But then what should we be doing, Niket? Leave our jobs or education, worldly responsibilities and devote all time to spirituality?” asked Soumya. It was not out of frustration but was coming after thoughtful consideration of what was discussed till now. “Oh! Blessed are those who get to do so. To walk on the path of renunciation. But it is not about the time, it is about the attitude and the urgency; of realizing His true identity and craving to follow Him,” said Prem.

“Remember those early months when you had met Him for the first time? I am sure you can feel to this day the excitement, the energy, the eagerness and the elevation you experienced. Can you say for yourself that even today you feel the same when you meet Him?” inquired Satya. “Thus, it is all about falling in love for the first time, every time.”

“Instead things have become monotonous. His darshan, discourses, shibirs have become routine; devoid of that zeal and passion,” said Aashirwad.

“And yes, you will need to strike a balance between spiritual calling and worldly duties. But, check whether you are actually doing justice to your spiritual life, or in the name of balance you are clinging to worldly activities alone. Do you make every effort to be in His presence whenever possible? Things like going for His darshan daily when He is in town go a long way in maintaining that constant connect. We attend all the shibirs and events, but do we take out time, once in a while, to go to the Ashram and spend quiet moments enjoying His showers of grace?” added Niket.

“Remember, He is completely free of any desire; It is only His compassion that makes Him relentlessly endeavour for your upliftment. He can only inspire you, the perspiration has to be yours,” Prakash added thoughtfully. “He can show you the door, it is you who has to walk through it,” completed Rahul.

Aashirwad felt it was time to come to talk about action now. He started, “Today we take His presence for granted. He is waiting for us and we are either busy in worldly activities alone or are satisfied with staying afloat on the surface, but not plunging in with a diver’s attitude of not resting until he has obtained the pearl of self-realisation. I fear that today we do have Him, tomorrow…”

“Tomorrow we may not be alive! Human birth does not come with a fixed lifespan, right?” quipped in Niket.

“So it is all about having that burning thirst for liberation, feeling the supreme need and importance of His presence and zeal to walk the path He has shown. Then, activities, time, relations and responsibilities all fall in place,” completed Satya.

It was with realisation and out of conviction that Soumya spoke, “I now agree. If I truly realise even a tiny bit of His importance in my life my attitude and priorities will change. I now resolve to spend as much time I can in His presence and that too with dire thirst for my transformation. I now want to be a sponge, not a stone.”

Niket, who had been quite excited and pungent during the discussion, lead all eight in prayer, “Dear Master, we are supremely blessed to be Your children. You have found us, now we want to truly find You. We want to experience You, serve You with our heart, experience bliss with You and unite never to sever. May the eight of us soon become one, with You.”