"He would gaze into the celestial sea, never tiring of contemplating its movements, its clouds, its lights. He would collect rocks, flowers, beetles of all species, and array them in manifold sequences and combinations. He would keep a keen eye on both men and beasts and sit on the seashore searching for shellfish. He would eavesdrop attentively on his own thoughts and emotions. He knew not whither his yearnings impelled him . . . " (Novalis)
In the beginning the seeker of Truth is like a man who, having heard that a priceless pearl is to be got from the depths of the ocean, goes down to the seashore and first admires the vastness of the ocean and then paddles and splashes about in the shallows and, intoxicated with this new excitement, forgets about the pearl. Out of many who do this, one after a while, remembers his quest and learns to swim and starts to swim out. Out of many who do this, one masters swimming and reaches the open sea; the others perish in the waves. Out of many who master swimming, one begins to dive; the others in their enjoyment of mastery, again forget about the pearl. Out of many who practise diving, one reaches the ocean bed and grasps the pearl. Out of many who get hold of the pearl, one swims back up to the surface with it; the others stay stuck on the floor gazing with wonder at the pearl. Out of many who swim up to the surface, one returns to the shore. -- Meher Baba
