Aptavani-5 Aptavani-05 | Page 87

48 Aptavani-5 to perform very lengthy penances (tapas) in order to get the direct experience of the Self. Was this not the reason for it? Dadashri: That was it. Nowadays one does not have to do that much severe penance. Nowadays, even before striking a match, there is spontaneous combustion! Why subject people to penance when they are already suffering in agony? Alas! Poor people are already roasting in the ‘fire pit’! Inventions in Spiritualism There is no need to bother with those who already have a pure heart, and they are not likely to make much spiritual gain either. Questioner: So is there benefit for those who are crooked? Dadashri: It is beneficial only for those who are crooked. I have seen many people with a clean heart, like this man here. I tell them they are happy anyway so why should they bother? I tell them that straightforward and good people like you do not harm the world. But it will take them a very long time to reach the state of the Self, because for them ‘invention’ (seeking and searching) has halted. Their ‘engine’ runs slowly. No one has ever said the things that I am saying. Everyone says that only those with a clean heart will attain religion and not anyone else. What I am saying is that as long as the necessities of those with a clean heart are fulfilled, it is enough. Their ‘invention’ (searching) stops then. Questioner: But Dada, will it happen if there is a desire, in their heart or in the intellect, to know more? Dadashri: No, it will not happen even if there is a desire to know (jignyasa). Only two to five people will come and they will be reformed. Such persons help a handful who come; they will serve other people, and the same time progress themselves.