"During
a certain phase of the journey, we are not open to understanding the
parts of ourselves that play against our own happiness. We are not
really willing to get to know ourselves – we just want to get rid of our
symptoms that bring suffering. In this phase, prayer and devotion are
like a bargain that we use because they meet our needs. It is natural to
start off like this, but at some point we must let go of this
bargaining in order to continue along the path of love. Devotion is not
meant as an occasional practice; only when it is firm and steady can it
lead us to the experience of oneness. What builds this steadiness is
self-awareness."
Sri Prem Baba
