Near and Dear

 

Q81: Swami, devotees come from far off places like Argentina, Philippines, Guatemala, Russia and many other countries from all over the world.  Name a country and its representation is there at Prasanti Nilayam.  They go out of this place with heavy hearts, not able to leave you.  How should they take it and what exactly do you want them to do in the circumstances?

Bhagawan:  You should experience the omnipresence of God.  God is always with you, around you, below you and in you.  In fact, you are God.  Devotees come to Swami to charge their batteries.  Always remember this.  "Near" is not important to Swami, "dear" is important.  The flame burns brilliantly when the breeze blows.  Two wooden pieces should be kept close together.  This is "nearness".  As you light and burn them, you should also fan them, so that the flame will rise upwards.  This fanning is "dearness".  Mere nearness is not enough.

There is a lotus flower in a lake.  There are a number of fishes and frogs in the same lake that you do not know the value of the flower.  But honey bees come from long distances and suck nectar from the flower.  Bees represent dearness while frogs and fishes stand for nearness.

Similarly, you know the lighthouse from which light spreads all around guiding the ship's voyage.  But, under the lighthouse, it is dark because of the shadow.  So light around is dearness while the shadow underneath is nearness.  So, devotees who go from here should understand this.  They should strive to be dear to Swami and not merely near to Him.

(From "Satyopanisad" Vol. 1 by Prof. K. Anil Kumar)