‘By first knowing who we truly are as individuals. When we know what our inherent strengths, weaknesses and limitations are and when we are honest about wanting to know our true self, only then can we begin to understand who we truly are as individuals. To know our inherent tendencies, good and not so good, we need to know who we genuinely are without any hypocrisy or deceit, walking the by-lanes of denial. Till this does not happen we shall never be really honest about our desire to better ourselves, and till we are not truly honest about knowing our true selves we shall never really see the Light but always dwell in the shadows of dark alleys. Living without knowing one’s true weaknesses, strengths and limitations is like driving a very high-powered vehicle with eyes shut, feet pressing the speed pedal and hands off the steering wheel. Only disaster awaits the vehicle, the one behind the steering wheel and those in the vehicle. Thus, first and foremost know who you truly are. Without this no growth is truly possible. However deplorable the answers that might come forth in your search for your true self may be, it is important first to know who you are, as the journey can truly only begin once we are aware of who we are, what we are dealing with, what our strengths are, what are our weaknesses, our limitations and then with all the cards in our hands, then we focus on our strength, stay away from our weakness, and try to work on our limitations.’

‘Do you really think we are capable of staring at the truth in the eye, especially of our own selves?’

‘My sweet monkey, of course it is difficult and shall not come easy but it all depends on how serious you are and whether this is a true need, in fact a desperate need, an inevitable stepping stone in one’s own growth and journey. It is hard, slow, heartbreaking going within the jungles of one’s own dark self. You will also know at what speed to travel and work on yourself. You will be the best judge to decide whether you can slowly and slowly starve off your weaknesses and tendencies or you can severe them in one go or is it going to take years or maybe even a lifetime or more. But all this shall only happen when you know who you are and what you are truly dealing with.’

‘Baba, how does one stay away from one’s inherent pull of nature, maybe depression or anger or greed or hate or whatever. Even if I know it is my weakness, how does one work on it?’