So it is also with these fussy, showy Theosophists. Their greatness lies only in editorship — writing and speaking with high-sounding words about planes, powers, colors, society, creed — in a superficial knowledge of the shadow of Truth, and in behaving and making others believe in the greatness of themselves and none other. Truth is far, far beyond this.
(Baba quoted a couplet from Hafiz and explained its meaning:) If you desire to aspire for Realization, you should hold your very life in the palm of your hand, ready to give it up at any moment! Then alone will you be deemed worthy and be able to see the gates of Truth.
The topic then turned to the American Christian Mission and the Salvation Army — two organizations which were doing their utmost to convert people to Christianity, declaring it to be the only sure road to salvation. Baba asked, "Why all this? Why shake the faith of people of other religions and induce them to give up their own religion? Is religion the Truth or even a way to the Truth?" He then elucidated:
Truth has nothing in the least to do with religion. It is far, far beyond the limited and bare dictates and doctrines of a religion. Truth is bare and simple in its requirement that you give up maya — particularly lust, anger and greed. Anybody can aspire and attain to the Truth. There are no caste distinctions or prejudices there.
Muslims say that Realization can only be obtained through the Mohammedan religion [Islam], and they bring forth the silly arguments of shariat, insisting on circumcision and so forth. How ridiculous! Do any of you know why Muslims practice circumcision? Their great Prophet Muhammad propagated the divine doctrine of "cutting their mind, maya and sanskaras," that is, keeping their minds, which are ever wandering in worldly maya, in check. He told them to be aloof and away from the clutches of maya and to destroy their sanskaras as much as possible. But since they were unable to grasp the deep meaning of this divine doctrine given by their Prophet, they or some fine theologians invented and preached "cutting of the foreskin" and so forth. And the people blindly accepted and followed these doctrines as if they had been given by their own Prophet, and they lay particular stress on the same. How ridiculously reverse from the real and original doctrine taught by their great Prophet!