(Mother turns to a child) Do you intend to do Yoga?
Yes, Mother.
Why do you want to do Yoga?
To feel the Presence of the Divine.
And you?
To realise the Divine, and for that one must perfect oneself.
And you, why does Yoga interest you?
Because I am able to know myself.
And you?
To do what one feels as the inner truth.
And you, are you doing Yoga?
At times.
You are honest, but why at times?…
(Addressing another child) Do you have any idea as to what Yoga is?
I think it is a way by which…
What is there at the end of the way?
The constant Presence of the Divine.
(Turning to another child) In Yoga what is it that interests you most?
I do not understand what Yoga is. Is it in concentrating on you?
It is a good symbol.
Anyway, happily nobody has said that he desired Yoga to obtain power. There are countries and people who know vaguely that there is something called yoga, and they begin it with the idea that they will become superior to others, will get a greater power than others and consequently will be able to dominate others—this is the worst reason, the most selfish, that which brings the most harmful consequences. Others who are greatly troubled, who have a very difficult life, who have worries, sorrows, many cares, say, “Oh, I shall find something that will give me peace, tranquillity, and I shall be able to get a little rest.” And they rush into Yoga thinking they are going to be quite happy and satisfied. Unfortunately, it is not altogether like that. When you begin the Yoga for reasons of this kind, you are sure to meet great difficulties on the way. And then there is this great virtue in men’s eyes: “philanthropy”, “love of humanity”; so many people say, “I am going to do Yoga to be able to serve humanity, make the unhappy happy, organise the world in the happiest way for everybody.” I say this is not sufficient—I do not say that this is bad in itself, although I have heard an old occultist say wittily: “It won’t be so very soon that there will be no more misery in the world, because there are too many people who are happy to live on this misery.” It was a witticism but it is not altogether wrong. If there were no misery to soothe, the philanthropist would no longer have any reason for his existence—he is so satisfied with himself, he has so strong an impression that he is not selfish! I knew such people who would be very unhappy if there were no more misery upon earth! What would they do if there were no longer any misery to relieve, what would be their activity and what their glorification? How would they be able to show people “I am not selfish!”, and that they are generous, full of kindness?
[The Mother: CWM 4]
