Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Way of Grace

The Divine brings total rest. Total rest from all anxieties. Total rest from all wantings. Life has burned down with so many various wants. In every direction, life is found to be weary. The Divine brings that soothing influence — a healing touch to the life which has been moving in so many direc-tions. The Divine brings that total rest.

The mind looks for something charming. And once it goes there, the charm ceases to exist. The charm of the mind is a continuous mirage. It is always farther. It is always somewhere else. As long as this mind remains, devotion
does not flower. When the flame of devotion is lit, the craving mind melts away like wax. As the mind melts, the flame of devotion becomes more alive.

The mind looks for charms, miracles, events, excitement. Charm is an outside influence always. Devotion is an inner flowering. Devotion starts from where you are, where-as a charm is something that pulls you away from yourself. The charm never stays for long. When Jesus walked on this planet there were hundreds who came around him, charmed. But there were only twelve in whom the devotion was kindled.

Unless you are lit in devotion, your life will remain restless. In devotion, in that process of burning, longing will arise in you. Intense longing will alternate with intense love, transforming the mind so totally. Then you have crossed over the bridge to the other side.

— Sri Sri Ravi Shankar