Shoshana Rose's Page

There is a famous story in India about two brothers. The elder brother left home and prayed in the forest most intensely. At the end of twelve years he returned home.
The younger brother was delighted to see him and he requested, "Please, please show me some occult power. You have practiced for twelve long years while I have been leading an ordinary life. Please show me what you have accomplished."
The elder brother said, "Come with me." The two brothers entered the village and walked to the river. At the river bank the elder brother sat down and entered into deep meditation. After a while he stood up and walked across the river on the surface of the water.
Immediately the younger brother hailed the ferryman, gave him an anna and was quickly rowed across the river to join his brother. When the two brothers were joined together, the younger brother said, "You had to slave for twelve years to be able to do something that I can do in five minutes? Is this the result of your years of spiritual discipline and austere life? Shame, shame!"
The elder brother realized that he had foolishly wasted his twelve years. He left home once more, this time to aspire only for Truth, only for Light, only for God.

- Sri Chinmoy in "Kundalini - the Mother Power"