TWO VARIETIES OF PERSONS

Swami Brahmananda, one of the original disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, used to say that there is a peculiar breeze called the Malaya breeze.  When this breeze blows, it touches all trees.  By its touch some trees, having a certain substance, are transformed into highly-prized sandalwood trees, while the others, lacking this substance, remain the same.

So also there are two varieties of persons.  As soon as those of the one variety come into the presence of holy men and hear their teachings, they are awakened. They at once devote themselves to the practice of spiritual disciplines.  Such persons are sure to reach moksha, liberation.

There then is the other variety of persons.  Even though exposed to high spiritual ideals, they do not respond.  They think that they will live forever and that the world cannot get along without them.  They think it is sheer foolishness to give up the pleasures of the world for the sake of the unknown.  Thus they remain sunken in darkness.