man even giving advance criticism; but I am much afraid of the man who is so closed inside he doesn't want to listen to anything at all. He keeps the doors and windows of his heart and mind absolutely sealed, because there is much other stuff all packed in with which he's wholly occupied. Such a beautiful chance Baba gives to come out of it, to open your eyes and see. See how He says, do not worry, be happy. This is within the range of everyone. We don't really have to work hard for it. We have to disown certain things which we have wrongly or rightly owned. But Baba is there all the time to help you.

What are the things He expects you to disown? Certain things, certain habits we have formed in our life. I was once very fond of smoking and then I gave it up. I thought to myself that it is not good. There are certain habits of life, habits of sex, habits of making money in an illegal way, habit of just having pride about things, the habit of demonstrating your ego everywhere you go - just a few things. Not very great indeed! They look overwhelming, they're actually not. Far greater is your will . . . such a powerful thing you have been given! We have not yet talked about this. We can do it, we can do many things if we want. This will is nothing but Meher Baba's will. We have made this will very, very poor because of our ignorance. So why not give this will a chance to become strong and be aligned with His will. Believe me, we can do it. We can do it by just giving up a few habits. We shall find that we can have all the joy of real life. But one is so used to enjoying the pleasures of life that one cannot get the joy of life You cannot have the joy of life while you are occupied with the pleasures of life; and these two pleasures go against each other.