Barometer of Success

What is the barometer of success in the path of Sadhana, especially what should pilgrimages to Prasanthi Nilayam do to us?

"Do you love more, do you talk less, do you serve others more earnestly? These are the signs of success in Dhyana (meditation). Your progress must be authenticated by your character and behaviour. Dhyana must transmute your attitude towards beings and things; else it is a hoax. Even a boulder will, through the action of sun and rain, heat and cold, disintegrate into mud and become food for a tree. Even the hardest heart can be softened so that the Divine can sprout therein. 

You come to Prasanthi Nilayam as cars come to a workshop. You must go out, with new paint, with all damaged and loose bolts and nuts replaced, with the engine cleaned and reconditioned, every part spick and span, beautiful, trouble-free, in perfect trim, ready to speed on the journey that lies ahead! Every bad habit must be replaced by a good one, no trace of vice must be allowed to persist, and your heart must be drained of all egoism. This is the fruit of this pilgrimage that you must acquire. Let this be your resolution!"

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse - 13.1.1969)

Sadhana (spiritual practices) must make you calm, unruffled, poised and balanced. - BABA