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Kasturi was eager to tell Swami of the successful talks and the happiness of the villagers. However, he was surprised to find that Swami did not look at or talk to him. Kasturi felt that this distancing was like cuing off his life’s breath. Yet Swami did not yield, and Kasturi fell into a depression. He stopped eating, became weak, and took to his bed.
Kasturi’s mother was alarmed and tried to intervene. She pleaded to Swami to speak to her son. Aer awhile Swami finally relented and went to Kasturi.
Kasturi was so happy. He knew that he was out of place for counseling the villagers, blessing their children, and allowing his feet to be touched. Apologetically he said, “Oh Swami, I’m so sorry that I overstepped my boundaries. I thought that I was helping the villagers but I can see that it was ego. From now on I’ll know that I’m no beer than a worm.” Swami gently replied, “Whatever made you think that you were beer than a worm?”
This story is difficult for many people to hear. However, I can assure you it does not mean that Swami feels that we should be weak and groveling in the sand. Swami wants us to be strong like lions in upholding dharma. Giving up our egos may be frightening, but rather than weakening us, it strengthens us. The real Self, devoid of ego and allied with God, is mightier than the mightiest. This story is about how we lose our ego on the spiritual path, and that can sometimes be painful. However, to merge into the boundless love of God, our ego must go.
Be humble, be harmless,
Be upright, forbearing,
Have no pretense,
And be free from the bondage of desire. (SSB)
Mortal Fear
One of the mental states most difficult to confront when our ego is humbled comes from sensing the uncertainties and the impermanence of the external world. Most of us hide from
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