When Maya Visits
When my husband and I started our family business, we didn't know what scams we would face. We couldn't recognise the con artists from true clients. But we made a decision early on that we would run our business cleanly, not take more than what was due, not give favours for cash, not cheat anyone, etc. Little did we know that these rules would protect us from the scams. By sticking to our code of ethics, those enticing offers were turned down and, after further research, found to be common scams in our industry.
We can now spot most scams straight away, but we still have to keep a look out for new ones and more cleverly disguised ones. We stick to our rules, and this provides a fair bit of protection. We keep our lines of communication open with each other, we discuss new requests, we take decisions together. Sometimes a guest will ask for an arrangement quite innocently, but the arrangement may cheat their employer or the taxman or both. If we cross the line with something little, it brings us closer to the next line, and these little line crossings means we end up a far distance from where we should be, where we want to be.
Spiritual progress works much the same way. Maya is sneaky, and we may not recognise her at first, but shrimat is there to protect. As we face situations we learn to recognise the gross forms of Maya. Baba tells us today to give up waste - waste thoughts, waste words, waste actions. As we learn to discern waste and give it away, we then protect ourselves against more subtle forms of Maya. By keeping good company, by discussing finer points of knowledge, by checking with seniors, the intellect sharpens and we take responsible discisions.
As Baba says, we don't want to invoke Maya. We don't want to invite her in. She brings the gift of waste, but we are not obliged to accept it. Have we forgotten the treasures we already have? Treasures of knowledge, the Father's love, His company, the parlokik family, Madhuban, etc. What can Maya possibly offer that would be better than this? Nothing - but when we forget what treasures we have, Maya sees her chance. This is why Baba is always saying to remember Him, remember the home. Drop body consciousness and remember your true form, your angelic form. What does an angel need from Maya?
Baba encourages us to claim our place on the rosary of 108. There are so many who came before us, how can I be one of the 108? Baba says, it doesn't matter, make the effort and if He needs to, He will create more strings. Don't worry about the maths - leave all that to Baba. Don't let space appear on the rosary, don't be the missing bead. Baba does not want to see His children labour, He only wants to see their happiness.
Om shanti.
