12 – The Wave and the Ocean
Even as a child Mukunda had the wisdom of a sage. Many times, in his search for a guru, he would visit some noted teacher. He would often be disappointed, finding that the teacher sought, rather than bestowed, wisdom.
One day, while he was still in his teens, he heard of a holy man who was regarded by his disciples as God incarnate. Mukunda went reverently to visit him.
The teacher, however, was not so holy as his disciples liked to believe. Their flattery had gone somewhat to his head. Seeing Mukunda’s humility, the man sought to impress him further. In thundering tones he declared: “I am God!”
Mukunda was repelled by the teacher’s manner. “You don’t say so!” the youth said with a smile.
A dark flush appeared over the man’s face; wrath distorted his features.
Mukunda produced a small mirror. Holding it in front of the teacher’s angry face, he said, “Look at that! Do you call that God? It is not the God I am seeking.” He turned on his heel and strode out of the room.
“Stop! Stop!” the man cried. Wait a minute!” He ran after Mukunda, knelt before him. “I want to thank you,” he said. “I am grateful; you have awakened me from a deep delusion.”
Mukunda smiled at him warmly. “You are a great soul, or you would not have taken censure so humbly. But,” he continued, reproachfully, “you should never again say that you are God. The wave cannot say it is the ocean. The ocean has become the wave. We are all little waves, dancing in the ocean of God’s light. Can anyone confine God in a little body and ego? The Lord is everywhere. Never again claim that you are God. Say, rather, that God is in you. Then you will be speaking truth.”
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