The ceremony begins. In the middle of the hall we lay a sacrificial fire, the embers begin to glow, and everyone takes a seat in a circle, within touching distance of one another. Small lamps stand within reach, their flames kindled from the first candle, drawing a true circle of light around the hall. Fragrant smoke rises towards the sky, prayers and supplications murmur softly, the gongs ring out, and we wait.
‘Life heaps countless tasks upon me…’ – I muse on this while the embers glow. ‘Illusion hides the ultimate truth and draws my attention away. Earthly existence is a passing moment – I am seeking my heavenly calling.’
– What you say in words grows stronger if you release it on the wings of melody! For if there is a question, there will be an answer too… – the master of the ceremony speaks as if from far away, and begins to sing, softly, in a deep voice that is soothing in itself. The rest of us answer, repeating the verses, a simple melody, profound words. Is this what answers my questions?
May well-being descend on all beings!
– The first step of spiritual life is to keep in view your own spiritual interests, rightly understood… – he strikes his gong and goes on speaking, but I am still pondering his words. ‘Am I serving my own eternal interests well, or, for that matter, serving them at all? Do I see beyond the bounded horizon of my life? And what would best serve my interests?’
May peace descend on all beings!
– The second step is to serve the good of others… – the master continues, the gong rings out again and once more confronts me with my thoughts. ‘And how could I be of benefit to others if I cannot even help myself? Though it is said that when the sick man is healed, he may even become a doctor… These two steps are bound together: if I could help myself, I could help others too’ – my thoughts come faster and faster.
May abundance descend on all beings!
– And the third step is to further the work of divine love. Let us pray for the bliss of every living being, that divine grace may pour forth and we ourselves may come to share in it – our guide goes on, and scatters fragrant resins on the embers. The smoke billows up, surprising me with its intensity, and then I catch its delicate, cleansing fragrance.
‘Fulfilling the work of divine love…? But this, too, is not independent of the steps before. If I could succeed in serving the ultimate interests of just one person, even myself, then I could save someone from the terror of transience…’ – I no longer even hear the ceremony, for my thoughts hold my attention entirely. What I had learnt before glimmers within me: ‘My calling is that my deeds, my words and my thoughts should reflect the divine will.’ And in this I find rest.
May blessing descend on all beings!
– Our meditation is over – says the master. – The candle has burnt down, but take the light with you! And receive this beautiful parting message: ‘Practise virtue, not dishonesty, speak the truth, not falsehood, look far, not near, fix your gaze on the Supreme, never on anything base.’ Peace to the world!