Daily Meditation: Thursday, July 1, 1999

You deprive yourself of many things by not being able to …

07/01/1999

You deprive yourself of many things by not being able to recognize the value of what other beings give you. Even the most patient, the most generous of people end up being discouraged. What is the point of trying to help you, trying to do you a good turn, if you do not appreciate it? They feel they are wasting their time with you, and in the end they will turn to help someone else, someone who will show more appreciation for the help offered. Even a spiritual master must take this reality into consideration. He gives his riches and his knowledge to those in whom he senses an echo. Otherwise he keeps quiet; he does not put his treasures into a leaking boat. And heaven does the same: it closes its doors to anyone who does not recognize its kindliness. You will say: ‘But we didn't know it was like this and that we must be so vigilant.' Well, exactly. You have to learn. You have heard of the expression ‘to have dealings with someone', in other words to be in association with someone. This implies an exchange. Try to meditate on all the applications of this word. In exchange for what he gives you, a spiritual master asks that you at least give him your attention.