Story 103 - False Versus True Dedication

A man drinks wine until he becomes intoxicated and while in that condition, he sells his house for Rs. 500; while in this-condition he writes out a document selling his house for Rs. 500. His wife soon gives him vinegar or some sour drink and he becomes sober, he is then sorry for what he has done and the folly of selling his big house for nothing. He decides to bring a law suit against the man who bought his house hoping to gain his point on the ground of his intoxicated condition which rendered him unaccountable for his actions. He was not sober at the time.

Just so it is with some people. They are in a kind of intoxicated state, and while in that state they sell out to God, they give all their money, renounce all their possessions, give up father, mother, sister, brother, friend, all, all for God; they have lost all for God's sake. Very good, they are in concentration and after a short time worldly wants begin to tell upon them and petty cares make their existence felt. They are given vinegar, all intoxication subsides, and then they take back everything from God. The body becomes my body, the house my house, and they keep on wanting until they want even what is their neighbour's to be taken back, want everything taken back from God. This is all very well so far as it goes, but true peace and happiness you can have only when you rise to that state of perfection, when you give up everything permanently for God and when you have built your character which makes you proof against all troubles. There is no anxiety, no fear no hope of the world. You stand above all this.

MORAL: Dedication which is impulsive or emotional and is caused by the effects of external circumstances, is only temporary and false whereas that which is due to self-knowledge and is caused by complete renunciation is permanent and true dedication

Vol. 2 (42-43)