WHAT'S THE SOLUTION OF THIS WORLD-WIDE MISERY?

 
QUESTIONER. What's the solution of this world-wide misery? Will it be solved through martyrdom?

MEHER BABA. Yes, through martyrdom by many. But that is a question of collective effort. What about you personally?

Q. I am not concerned about myself personally.

BABA. But the personal question does come in, even with a desire to serve others selflessly, as you do, because your individual efforts for the good of others have a collective effect. For example, a leper amongst a crowd of healthy people would spoil the whole atmosphere with the infection of disease. So also another, scented profusely, and emitting delicious odours from his person, would spread fragrance around him. That is, personal means collective, and collective means personal. So in order to be able to help others, you yourself must first have knowledge and power.

Q. Putting one's personal question aside, trying one's utmost to help one's fellows, if they do not understand, what has one to do?

BABA. It means that the feeling of happiness is not so deep in them as in you. It is the lifelong aim of every soul to impart happiness to others, even if it be at the sacrifice of one's own.

Q. Perhaps one who is not always encouraged by circumstances, feels dejected at times.

BABA. But that will change. You have a good heart. I like you very much. Every human being has some weakness. But it is the heart that matters.

Q. How is selfishness caused?

BABA. At the root of all selfishness is self-interest, want, desire. If two dogs see a bone, they fight because they both want it. Both desire to possess it. Even if they do not see and do not fight, all the same, the desire is there.

Q. Is there fear?

BABA. Why do people fear? Because they are afraid of losing the things they want to possess.

Q. What are the means to be fearless?

BABA. The only possible means is the spiritual change of heart. That only will make people satisfied. For instance, why do people drink? Peasants who labour hard all day, when they come home after a day's work, drink for stimulation. But if they were to get something else instead, they would be satisfied with that, until their desire for stimulation disappeared. So, for the satisfaction of cravings created through desire and want, spiritual unfoldment is needed.

Q. But how could spiritual unfoldment come when selfishness and desire are there deep-rooted?

BABA. That will be done by Love. Love has such powers as to unite all hearts.

Q. What are the hours and time that you advise for concentration for spiritual work?

BABA. There is no fixed time. I do it, when I feel like doing it. It is Infinite. There is no rule for the Infinite.