The Power of Thought

[Guest guest]

A recluse and a prostitute were neighbors. The recluse advised the

prostitute, ‘Do not indulge in merry making; it will land you in

hell’. The prostitute replied politely, " Holy sir, please pardon me,

this is my only means to buy food " . The recluse got into counting how

many persons visited the prostitute. He was angry with her for not

heeding his advice.

 

And one fine day, both of them passed away. God bade His messengers to

lead the prostitute to heaven and throw the recluse in hell.

 

The enraged recluse asked God, " I have offered daily pooja's to You,

chanting Your Holy Name; and yet You are in favor of that prostitute

whose negative actions were known to everyone " . To which God replied,

" Despite the fact that she used her physical form as a means of

business to make her living, her thoughts were forever concentrated on

Me. She used to cry to Me always, seeking relief from the evil ways of

the world. Whereas despite My giving you all the facilities for you to

worship me, you were focusing your thoughts on taking an inventory of

how many people visited the prostitute. Is that becoming of you? "

 

Then the recluse asked God, " Is there no result for my prayers then? "

God replied, " Look down at what is happening to the physical body you

departed from " . The recluse saw his body being bathed in choicest

fragrances of sandal and lavender and being led in veneration to the

cremation ground, while the prostitute’s corpse was left to wolves and

savage dogs. God said, " You did good with your body, therefore your

body is honored. She resorted to a different path, so her corpse is at

the mercy of dogs and wolves. But in terms of the soul, she led an

honorable life, whereas you erred in your thoughts. Therefore she is

in heaven and you are in hell " .

 

It is not the act that is relevant in God’s Kingdom; it is the thought

that is more relevant. Your thoughts dictate the future turn of events

in your life. If you have truly immersed your thoughts in the Divine,

nothing can lead your thoughts astray and that is what will count with

God. Everything else you assume to be true in this world is a question

of relative judgment that you have formed for your convenience.

 

Be true to your conscience that is God, do not think evil and always

think good for and of yourself and others, and that will lead you to

God’s good books naturally.