Monk: Maharaj, my mind is very much disturbed. I have not been able to do much spiritual practice. Time is passing fast. What will happen to me? Swamiji: My child, be resigned to God. Nothing can be accomplished without His grace. Can man realize Him by spiritual practice alone? If He reveals Himself out of compassion, then alone can one realize Him, otherwise not. Who is competent to reach Him? How long can a man pursue spiritual practice? Say, two hours, four hours or at the most eight hours. Not only that; it is the Lord who is responsible for the desire for spiritual practice. He is the Fountain of all forces! Unless He is gracious and gives us the strength, how can we pursue spiritual practice? That is why I am stressing that you should be resigned to God. Fervently pray, "O Lord! Be merciful to me." Then alone will He be merciful. It is mercy that counts-mercy, mercy. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, "One should say 'Thou and Thine' and not 'I and mine'" What can we do unless He graciously reveals Himself? Grace—grace is what is necessary. Be gracious to us, O Lord! Monk: Maharaj, I can hardly pray. My mind is so restless! I find it hard to concentrate at times. Swamiji: No, you will have to pray and pray very earnestly. Do not be depressed; do not be disheartened. Be in a happy mood and pray. He will give you everything, my child, every- thing you want. There is nothing He will withhold from you. He will give you faith, renunciation, purity, discrimination, dispassion and all. Whatever He has He will give you. He embodied Himself as man because He wanted to give you all these virtues. That is why He has brought you here and given you shelter in His Order. Do not think you are here as a result of your own efforts. Never for a moment cherish that idea! Out of compassion He has drawn you all here. He is the very Ocean of selfless compassion. My child, be resigned to Him. Everything will come in time. I say, you will have everything. He will fill you with devotion and faith. Saying this, the Swami started singing: _Stay by yourself, O mind!_ _Why wander here and there?_ _Look within—in the inner chamber_ _of your heart—_ _And you will find, right there,_ _Whatever you desire._ _God, the priceless Treasure,_ _the true Philosopher's Stone,_ _Who dwells in you, will answer_ _your heart's most fervent prayer._ _You cannot know, O mind!_ _how many gems lie strewn_ _About the outer courtyard of the_ _dwelling of the Lord._ You belong to the Master's fold. You have nothing to be afraid of. *Source:* For Seekers of God by Swami Shivananda