Crasses et Voluptés

In the beginning the seeker of Truth is like a man who, having heard that a priceless pearl is to be got from the depths of the ocean, goes down to the seashore and first admires the vastness of the ocean and then paddles and splashes about in the shallows and, intoxicated with this new excitement, forgets about the pearl. Out of many who do this, one after a while, remembers his quest and learns to swim and starts to swim out. Out of many who do this, one masters swimming and reaches the open sea; the others perish in the waves. Out of many who master swimming, one begins to dive; the others in their enjoyment of mastery, again forget about the pearl. Out of many who practice diving, one reaches the ocean bed and grasps the pearl. Out of many who get hold of the pearl, one swims back up to the surface with it, the others stay stuck on the floor gazing with wonder at the pearl. Out of many who swim up to the surface, one returns to the shore. This one is the Perfect Master and He shows His pearl to the others – the divers, the swimmers, the paddlers, and so encourages them in their efforts. But He can if He wishes cause another to become the possessor of the pearl without that one having to learn swimming or diving.

All over the world, man buries himself in egoism and multicolored attachments to the false, depriving himself of the intrinsic and self-sustained happiness that does not wane. He seeks happiness through the perishing and transitional, and invites upon himself the sufferings of closed consciousness. One must contact the ocean of unfading bliss within, and be free of the limiting duality of “I” and “you,” to unveil the perennial spring of imperishable sweetness which is within each and all.

To penetrate into the essence of all being and significance, and to release the fragrance of that inner attainment for the guidance and benefit of others, by expressing in the world of forms - truth, love, purity and beauty - this is the sole game that has any intrinsic and absolute worth. All other incidents and attainments can, in themselves, have no lasting importance.

Meher Baba