Don't be misled by a so-called similar teachings; don't be tempted by an easy way, a cheap substitute for enlightenment, cheap happiness, and then mistake that for enlightenment. Don't be mistaken, irresponsible in your behavior and have a lowly way of thinking toward liberation. Liberation means you're liberated from all that, from all that which is bothering you, from all that which is no good, from all that which is not noble, from all that which is not beautiful, which is binding you, suffocating you, and making you feel guilty, making you feel that you're not God-like. All desires make you feel like you're burning, you're passionate, have wanting and lust; lust is different than love, sex is different than offering yourself, celebrating the love between two people, even though the actions may look the same. Don't be mistaken.

Similarly, don't be mistakenly irresponsible, and engage in irrational behavior for liberation. Liberation is not enjoying yourself at the cost of others' suffering. Liberation doesn't mean that you lower yourself at the expense of your noblest being. Liberty has many costs. The people, who go around killing people, they say that is liberty, and also freedom. Freedom doesn't mean you take away other people's freedom. Joy doesn't mean you have to cause other people's suffering.


Spoken By Supreme Master Ching Hai,
Group Meditation, Pune, India
November 23, 1997
(Originally In English)

Pearls Of Wisdom