Meher Baba    On Meditation

. . . There are various retreats in India where meditation classes are held and different but set techniques of meditation are observed, which, if followed faithfully and for a long time, result in slight occult experience such as seeing flashes of light, colours, even visions, etc. These occult experiences by themselves are nothing, are in the domain of illusion, and not only have no direct bearing on the incomparable reality of God-Realization, but can actually become a hindrance and obstruction to the aspirant's path to God.

. . . The direct Path to God is the Path of Love. Love is not derived from meditation—it has nothing to do with it. Love is a grace of God. One in many have it, and it is all-sufficient. Love does not depend on anything but itself. Love without meditation is enough—meditation without love is not. That is why Sadgurus or Perfect Masters do not set meditation for their disciples as a necessary routine. Rather, they stress the aspect of love and selfless service. The masters of the Path, on the other hand, not having reached the Goal themselves, advocate meditation to the aspirants following them.

In the Prem Ashram (Baba's unique school for boys), the boys were touched with the spark of His Love and there was such a tumult of divine emotion and tears of love! Then, when the phase of intensive meditation followed (with the resultant flashes of occult experience), the love aspect began gradually to decline. One boy, Chota Baba, did not meditate, did not cry for God-Realization. He just loved Baba, and automatically thought of Him every moment. When Love comes, the lover does not even think, "I am loving, I am thinking of Him"—he just loves. This boy found Baba within himself, in everyone. He is a wali on the fifth plane, and is in Iran where Baba sent him later.

, , , God is within us all. He is also unfathomably beyond all. Those who love Baba are fortunate—they derive much by merely loving Baba. It does not affect Baba's work whether we love Him or oppose Him. The sun always shines, whether we bask in its rays or shun it. In "The Die Is Cast," Baba says that we must not ask, for He knows without our asking Him. But He also says, "I will give to each when I deem fit." Let us prove worthy of the Gift. The "Die Is Cast" is in a supreme way a test for us all—those who are strong in their love will cling on to Baba against all hardships and opposition; those that hold His "daaman" lightly, will automatically be shaken off.