Baba says, “In return for the Father’s love, you have to turn (transform) yourself.” 

Love means to remain close. There isn’t a more pure, selfless and unconditional love than God’s love. I am the most fortunate soul because I get to experience this love every second of every day. It is this love that is the alchemy that continues to heal the soul and give me the strength to transform. And the Father wants nothing more than to see me transform completely and claim full victory. This is because a sign of love is that you cannot bear to see any weakness in someone you love, and you would consider the mistake of someone you love to be your own mistake. When the Father hears anything about His most beloved child, He feels that it applies to Him. He wishes nothing more than to see His child become equal to Himself, full and perfect. Perfect doesn’t refer to the iron-aged ‘perfectionism’, rather it means that I remain in my self-respect no matter what happens; Whether there is praise or defamation, success or failure, benefit or loss, I remain in my peace. I continue to experience happiness and contentment because that is my original nature. That is victorious living, perfect living.

I know this and like the Father, I too want it for myself but the transformation doesn’t seem to happen fast enough. “It’s not enough to just think about it but your thoughts, words and actions all need to be elevated at the same time.“, explains Baba. In fact, if I were to check the waste thoughts that come to me, I’d find that they come at a very fast speed. And as soon as the thought comes, I speak of it instantly and also carry out the thought in action practically. It’s all very fast and happens simultaneously. But this is not the case with elevated thoughts – here, I think but then I hesitate when it comes to action. The determination weakens. In the case of waste thoughts, their force is so fierce that it finishes the consciousness of elevated thoughts, actions, code of conduct and the greatness of Brahmin life. It finishes the consciousness of truth and accuracy. Then after some time, when I have regained consciousness, I think that I should not have done that, or said that etc.

“So“, says Baba, “now you must especially become innocent of all wastage. Let there be total ignorance of any wastage in your time, your breath, your words and actions. When there is total ignorance of all wastage, you will then automatically and easily experience divinity and you will give this experience to others.” Sometimes, I deceive myself by thinking: “well, I am still an effortmaker.” Effort or ‘purusharath‘ means that the being is doing something through the chariot (purusharath= effort, purush- the living being, rath – chariot). So to be the being inspiring the chariot to do something is known as making effort. “Let it not be that you are moving along wile making effort, because the effort-maker should be constantly flying. This“, Baba teaches, “is known as being an accurate effort-maker.” Effort does not mean that I continue to make the same mistake again and again and make the word ‘effort’ my crutch. “Become an accurate effort-maker; let your nature be natural, extremely easy. Now, put aside making effort.“, teaches Baba, “let go of the temporary crutches that you are holding on to, whether it is your sanskars and nature or external situations, whatever crutches you have created, they are all temporary, for show and very deceitful. Do not be deceived.”

Only the support of the Father is true and it is the canopy. Temporary things, by definition, are deceitful. Sometimes, I take the support of a situation or circumstance and say: “What can I do, the situation was so big…” or “What can I do, the circumstances were such…I am not getting any help…I am not receiving any support…” Sure, the situation and circumstance are real but don’t let them become an excuse to remain where you are, teaches Baba. Sometimes, I look at others and think: “Look at them, they have been on this path longer than me and even they are not yet perfect. So how can I be expected to be perfect..” or I think: “This happens all the time, it’s not a big deal. In time, I will overcome it..” Do not create weak thoughts, teaches Baba. Weak thoughts keep me down whereas even one pure and elevated powerful thought can perform wonders. Keep your determination, don’t lose it or let it weaken. The Companion of those who have determined thoughts is the Father.

Everyone asks: “what return can we give for Baba’s love?” The return He wants is for me to turn or transform myself with determination. “That is all, that is the return.“, He says. “Are you ready to renounce your weaknesses out of love? Are you ready to follow any orders that the Father gives? Are you ready to turn yourself?“, He asks. Devotees, He notes, are ready to cut off their heads. “You don’t have to cut off your physical heads; you simply have to cut off Ravan’s heads.“, He points out. The key though is to cut off all five heads without leaving even one behind. Don’t even allow a little weakness to reduce your peace and joy. Always remain full and perfect like the Father.