Meditation in Action

Question:"Amma, which is more valuable, selfless action or meditation?"

Amma: "You need both. Tapas alone is not enough; you need action also. Soap alone is not enough to wash your clothes; you need to 'agitate' or beat the clothes clean. To overcome the circumstances, karma (action) is essential. We should be able to remember God constantly, whatever we are doing, and not just when we sit for meditation. Further, selfless action will help develop the purity needed for meditation. Action is also necessary to test the progress we have made in meditation. On the other hand, without meditation, selfless action is not possible. The actions of a man who does tapas have a power of their own; they benefit everyone."

Cleaning hospital compounds

Distributing rice and food packets to the poor

Conducting free eye camps

Distributing crutches to the disabled

Conducting antiliquor campaigns