ChaptersChapter 12Page 1,717

Chapter 12: Film Projects & Work In India

1936Page 1,717 of 5,444
He is quite right in his way of thinking, but absolutely wrong as a fact, in our case, where I, being a Spiritual Master holding the keys to the three worlds, have to act in accordance with certain laws of the material world when I work with people of the world.
In short, his mind would be at once prejudiced, his ideal would be shocked and the impression destroyed. I would not ordinarily care for a thousand such shattered impressions but, in this particular case where I have to deal with or through him for certain work of mine, I have to see that his present impression is kept up and not at all disturbed through any act on our part.
That is why I quietly tolerate all this grave danger and utilize other means, at whatever inconvenience to myself and even to you. I have to call Jamadar all the way from Meherabad, incurring so much additional expenses of his railway fare, board and lodging, over and above his pay, when every pie [penny] is so precious to us.
I have constantly marked this peculiar trait in the character of Indians — their lack of discrimination — as against this particular trait in the character of people in the West, where they always discriminate. In India, people will easily and readily believe and have faith in saints and Masters. It is a general tendency of this country, mostly without preliminary discrimination as to the status or qualification of the saint. But this faith of theirs will last only so long as their pet ideals and prejudices are not disturbed. The moment these have a cause of disturbance, they will not try to think or discriminate as to why a certain word or act was found necessary — and what were the conditions or circumstances, et cetera, that made it necessary. The moment these ideals are disturbed, they are shattered and mostly destroyed, which means their faith and devotion for the saint are also shattered and destroyed.
In the West, it is different. First of all, they will not easily come in and put faith in anyone, however great spiritually, unless they are convinced of "something" in him that they did not find in others or hear about. And then, after once having placed their faith in such a person, they will not easily give it up. They would readily think and discriminate over things they do not understand about him before forming their opinion otherwise; and unless they have very substantial reasons that justify their action after such discrimination, they will not give him up.
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