18 Life Without Conflict
will also progress higher through their help. For example, if you eat a mango, what does the mango tree lose and what do you gain from it? You get pleasure from eating a mango, and because of your happiness there is an improvement in your tendencies and as a result you acquire say, a spiritual earning equivalent to a hundred merit points. From these one hundred points, five percent will go to the mango tree for the fruit it gave you and the remaining ninety-five will remain with you for your progress. Therefore, when you share with others, they come to a higher level and at the same time, you do not fall. You too will progress to a higher level. The trees are really telling you to enjoy all that is theirs.
So if you like this worldly life, if you desire worldly things and can afford to live in this world, practice benevolence through yoga and upyoga. Yoga is that done through the mind, body and speech.‘ Upyoga’ means to use the intellect, mind and chit for the benefit of others. If you do not use them for others, then use them for those at home. Why does a female dog get food to eat? She gets it because she takes care of her puppies, in whom, God resides. The world functions on this very basis. Where do the trees get their nourishment? Do the trees have to make an effort? They never become emotional. Do they ever become emotional? They never feel like going a mile to the river for a drink of water!
Obliging Others Is Helping Yourself
Questioner: What kinds of actions or deeds, are considered good in this world? Can they be defined?
Dadashri: Yes. The actions of the trees are absolutely good actions but the trees do not have a sense of doer-ship. They have life in them; they give their fruits to others. You should do the same. You will keep receiving your fruits: fruits for your mind, your body and your speech. You will keep