We may practise hatha yoga, raja yoga, jnana yoga and bhakti yoga, but they only pacify the mind for the time being. They are all first-aid treatments. We will not be able to deal with the mind, whether we are young or old, rich or poor, capable or incapable, until we can think and aspire passionately to help others. If we want to befriend our mind, then we must treat the whole world as our family and reach out to as many people as we can.
Peace of mind is not the ultimate goal of human life. How can we find peace at all when everywhere in the world people are crying and clamouring? The world is on fire, our own neighbourhood is burning, while we sit smugly in our own air-conditioned room. But the day is not far off when the fire will engulf our house too. What are we doing for those who are suffering all around us? What are we doing for the billions who are living below the poverty line all over the world?
First we must take care of others and then take care of ourselves. First work for their moksha, then our moksha is guaranteed. First ensure their peace and prosperity, then our peace and prosperity are guaranteed. If we can’t think about and understand the problems of others, we can never realize our self. In this way a transformation has to take place within our own consciousness, whether we are a sannyasin or a householder; then we will become a spiritual person.