Power And Love

A few years ago I became extremely disturbed about the mortal illness that had befallen someone I knew. Somehow I allowed myself to be absolutely distraught about this, and it occupied many of my waking hours. I was praying that the sufferings of this friend would be lifted and that the illness would be cured. That was most unusual, since I was not even in the habit of praying for my own problems to be resolved! It was during Celebrations, and of course Guru was more occupied than usual with all the visiting disciples, but I was desperate. I wrote a note about my obsession or self-styled concern and put it next to Guru's chair at the function. In the course of the evening I saw him open the envelope and read my note. Then I saw him take out a pen. A few minutes later, he turned and handed me back my envelope, decorated with birds. I worked my way to the back of the room and, in the privacy of the crowd, read what Guru had written. He was extremely firm and extremely compassionate. He said that I must not do this kind of thing; I must not get involved in other people's karmic sufferings. He wrote several other lines, which I devoured intently. When I had finished reading Guru's words, first I was stunned, but then I practically said out loud, "OK!" Instantly I was absolutely cured of my preoccupation. It was as though Guru had amputated a diseased limb from me. I never gave the matter another thought, except to offer good will to the person inwardly, which Guru had said I could do. As a matter of fact, when this person's sufferings reached their fatal end a few weeks later, and many other people were deeply upset, I was absolutely calm and detached—no thanks to myself, but all thanks to Guru's miraculous power.

Nemi (New York)