Without persons like these, our world would be poorer, more shallow. We who live in society can benefit greatly from them. From time to time we can study and meditate with masters like these, so they can guide us to look within. In the crises of the present day, those of us who work in society, who confront power and injustice on a regular basis, get beaten down and exhausted. At least once a year, we need to visit a retreat center to regain our spiritual strength so that we can continue to confront society.
Spiritual masters are like springs of fresh water.
We who work in society need to carry that pure water to flood the banks and fertilize the land and the trees, in order to be of use to the plants and animals, so that they can taste something fresh and be revitalized. If we do not go back to the spring, our minds will get polluted, just as water becomes polluted, and we will not be of much use to the plants, the trees, or the earth. At home, we must practice our meditation or prayer at least every morning or evening. We who work in society must be careful. We become polluted so easily, particularly when we are confronted by so many problems.