The senses are like fire. Whatever you put into your senses burns in this fire.
A fire of toxic material creates pollution and bad smell. But if you burn sandalwood, it creates fragrance.
The same fire that supports life can also destroy. A fire can heat your home or burn it down. Celebration happens around a bonfire. Grief happens around the fire of cremation. A burning tire creates toxic fumes. A ghee lamp lights your way and purifies the surroundings.
Does your fire create smoke and pollution – or are you like a camphor flame that creates light and fragrance? A saint creates light and the fragrance of love. He is the friend of life.
A fire that creates light and warmth is of high quality. A fire that creates light and a little smoke is of medium quality. The fire that creates smoke and darkness is of low quality. Learn to distinguish these different fires.
When your senses are engaged in goodness, then you will create light and fragrance; When engaged
in impurity, you create smoke and darkness. It is sanyama that transforms the quality of fire in you.
By Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
