Another issue: imagine we are like the devotee besieged by female devotees. Amidst so many, whom would you choose? Personally, after choosing one, I would also be sad for the others whom I had to turn down (a true devotee would not engage in polyamorous relationships and of course the female devotees would refuse that). And also would come the issue of the wisdom of the choice, to be revealed only later with time, to them. And ofcourse, the burden of the popularity, it becomes a responsibility, like the one Presley felt, so much so that he became anxious, developing mental issues which eventually killed him.
A final aspect. I heard a couple of time Tony Robbins about this. People struggle so much, then a few of them achieve immense success. How much do the joy and satisfaction last? 3 hours to 3 months, was the precise answer of Tony robbins, who used to consult such people, taken aback that, after achieving so much, they felt unsatisfied.
In such an aspect, the words of Yogananda are 100% true. Material achievements will most often not provide final satisfaction.
Thanks mccoy, your last entry gave me pause for reflection. There are many things in life we have no idea about because we have not faced them. I do think that staying close to the Masters helps us being overwhelmed by too much of a good thing. I’ve been thinking about this subject for a long time now. I call it too much of a good thing. Paramahansa Yogananda warned that there is also bad karma that accrues from too much of a good thing, which results in becoming callous to the needs of others and essentially showing a lack of compassion for others. I’ve seen this in many rich people and famous people that become fixed in their achievements. It was interesting how you describe it above; “the burden of the popularity, it becomes a responsibility, like the one Presley felt, so much so that he became anxious, developing mental issues which eventually killed him.” Perhaps Daya Mata sensed this responsibility and anxiety Presley felt toward his popularity and therefore knew he would not find the time to practice Kriya.
I often look at my own life and ask myself; where are my desires leading me? As you know I love playing music and having it enjoyed by others. Yet Brother Turiyananda once told me; ‘ You do not even know what you are asking for in the future with this thought in your mind.’ Often great souls among us see the whole picture much better than us and recognize what we seek in our lives is not what will ultimately give us happiness. The next question then would be; How do we maintain balance without becoming drunk in the ways of the world that ultimately will not help us find the happiness and enlightenment we seek?
