September 12, 2026
The ascetic, Dattatreya, said, "If you are inwardly awake, life itself teaches you, everything around you becomes your teacher. If you are inwardly asleep, then God almighty, standing in front of you, is of no use to you." I think it is quite simple. It is only now that there are millions of people who call themselves Buddhists, millions of people who call themselves Christians, millions of people who call themselves Hindus. But, how many people recognized that Buddha was enlightened, how many people recognized that Jesus was Jesus Christ, how many people recognized that Krishna was an incarnation of God? Very few. If there were half a dozen fanatic devotees, there were also a dozen fanatic critics. During their own lifetimes they were not recognized as they are recognized now. That is obvious.
So, if my heart is not open, even if God stood in front of me and taught me, I would not pay any attention. I would ask a million questions and demand an identification card, "How do I know that you are God, and not an impostor?"
Unless I am receptive, nothing is of any use; and if I am receptive, everything is of use. Isn't that simple! And so the ascetic says, "Since I am inwardly awake, since I am seeking, I find the teaching in everything around me."