eChat Of The Week: Ego is Contagious

[Guest guest]

Dear Sai Devotees, In this week's eChat, we will read about an incident that teaches us a lesson about ego ....... ---------------------- This Guru was once holding a Satsang with His devotees in the prayer hall. The hall was pretty much full when a poor devotee with smelly, torn clothes showed up and greeted the Guru. The Guru showed him a place to sit next to a rich devotee. As the poor man was seating himself in the place shown, the Guru noticed that the rich person was restless and sliding away from the poor man. The Guru addressed the rich man: "Perhaps you were afraid that his poverty would affect you?" "No, Guruji!" replied the

rich man. "Then perhaps you were afraid some of your wealth would fly away to him?" "No, Guruji!" replied the rich man feeling caught in the act. "Or you feared that your clothes would become dirty if he touched them?" the Guru continued questioning. "No, Guruji!" said the rich man feeling utterly embarassed. "Then why did you draw yourself away from him?" spoke the Guru in anger. The rich man pleaded: "I admit that was the most undesirable thing to do. It was an error and I confess. Now to make amends for it, I will give away any amount of money he wants, and please accept and forgive me! " Just as the rich

man said this, the poor man rose and said: "Guruji! I am sorry, I can not accept his offer." People present there were all taken by surprise. They thought the poor man was a fool. But he continued: "Guruji! I refuse to accept his offer because I fear that I might then become arrogant and ill-treat my fellow man the way he treated me." ---------------- Sadguru taught a lesson to everyone assembled there that ego is contagious. OM SAI RAM!