Next worst is that great evil, kama [lust], particularly sex passion, which is one of the gravest and worst evils of the world, one of the greatest hitches in the way to Truth. All must be wide awake to its charms and clutches. It is so powerful that one is not even to think of it, let alone put it into action. For even the slightest thought of this type would render you unfit for the great preparation of spiritual advancement. As for people in the material world, it is indeed very, very difficult for them to remain quite aloof from this great evil in the strictest sense, as is held fit and deemed worthy for persons seeking spiritual advancement, who are not even to think of it. Never mind: If the idea or thought comes — as indeed it does come to almost everyone — at least don't put that idea into action. Even that will be enough, though trying not to think of it, as much as possible, would be much better.
Although it is a very, very difficult task to overcome these four [devils], nonetheless, you should not despair. Strive on and on. Paramatma is near you, with you, within you, ever ready to help you in your honest endeavor at Truth.
To give a concrete example, Baba called one of the mandali and, making him stand in front of him, he wrapped four bandages around the mandali member's eyes, covering them completely. Baba then said:
You cannot see me now as you have straps round your eyes. You have eyes, that is, the means to see, and I, for my part, am sitting right here in front of you. Both of these are facts. And still you can't see me! You have "means" to see, you have "the thing" to be seen; then why can't you see? Because of these four straps wrapped round your eyes. Take off these four covers over your eyes and you will see me at once.
In the same way, you all have internal eyes with which to see Paramatma, Self, Truth. The Self, the Truth is ever near you, with you, and within you, but you can't see It on account of the covering of the four great elements or attributes of maya. Remove these coverings and you will see Paramatma at once. But how can you remove these coverings? It is the work of the Sadguru to strip away the curtains of illusion, thus enabling you to see the Self.