Preoccupation with one's own welfare and happiness is the bane of the dualistic mentality. It breeds discontent and sorrow. Feelings of attachment and aversion sully the mind. The mind can be purified through service. External observances like bathing several times a day, smearing Vibhuti all over and chanting mantras mechanically will not serve to cleanse the mind of impurities. These are only outward show, with nothing spiritual about them. Transcendental knowledge, which will help to raise man from the animal level, can be got through diligent enquiry and steadfast faith. This is being ignored today. Perceiving untruth as truth and treating truth as untruth, people are immersed in accumulating ephemeral objects, considering them as permanent. You must get out of this narrow groove, outgrow your selfish tendencies and learn to regard the whole of mankind as one family. That is true service. Few have such a large-hearted approach today.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 19, 1987.