A certain gentleman once said, "Ma, do tell us something about how the inner feelings of young boys and girls can be kept pure"
Ma replied, "You yourselves teach them, so you yourself should know that!
Look, you make young boys wear the sacred thread, but nowadays the boys are throwing it away. If someone complains to me of it, I say, they have done the right thing. You take so much trouble to impart education to young boys and girls, to make them learn lucrative skills, you adopt so many methods to get them educated; but what is the importance of the sacred thread, why people do sandhya, puja etc., what is the harm if these are not done, about such matters you teach them nothing; that is why they cast them aside as useless. Hence, the fault is not only theirs; you are also guilty."
The same gentleman said again, "Well, Ma, this you have said about children; now do tell us something for ourselves."
Then Ma said, "You Babajis are now nearing the age of retiring with a pension. Verily, you desire uninterrupted joy; just as in the hope of getting a pension you have been working uninterruptedly in your office, similarly, try to take His name uninterruptedly with each and every breath you take. Only then you will get that permanent peace which all crave for.
Therefore, I say, keep your attention turned towards Him. Go on doing your work with full force - you will also get a full reward then.
In the beginning, one has to start practicing little by little like children; even if one feels no inclination, one should practice. After that, when gradually one develops a habit of doing the practice, one cannot give it up any more. In this way, go on practicing, each one of you, the japa of your ista mantra in rythm of your each breath."
#MaAnandamayi
