In some places, people plant a poorer quality rose next to a higher quality rose. This is done to prevent the poorer quality rose from self-pollination, which would genetically continue the poorer quality rose. The concept is designed so that the higher quality rose will pollinate and raise the poorer quality rose to a higher standard.
This principle can guide us in our own lives as well. It is said that a person is known by the company he or she keeps. If we want to be a wealthy person, we should keep the company of rich people. In this way, we would start to think and act like them, and we too might become rich. If we wish to become an athlete, we should spend time with athletes. Thus, we would be motivated to live like they do. We would find ourselves exercising more, keeping fit, watching our diet, and practicing our sport. If we wish to be a writer, we should stay with writers and become inspired to follow that craft.
Similarly, if we wish to develop spiritually, we should keep the company of people who have developed themselves spiritually. Amid such people, we would spend more time engaged in thinking about God and the soul, talking about matters spiritual, and spending time in spiritual practices. If we spent time with someone who meditates, we would be more likely to meditate. If we kept the company of those who value ethical living and practice noble virtues, we would find ourselves acting the same way.
Evaluate the company we keep. Do we find ourselves choosing friends who lead us into the pursuit of poor choices for our personal growth, or do we find ourselves choosing friends who will help us lead a spiritual life? When we wish to be warm, we sit by fire. When we wish to be cool, we sit near an air-conditioner or a block of ice. When we wish to lead a spiritual life, we can find people who are spiritually minded and spend time in their company.
If we are fortunate enough to be in the company of one who is spiritually realized, then that company is even better. Such a person radiates the breath of spirituality that can breathe spiritual awareness into us. Being in the environment of such a person will help focus our attention on the spiritual values of life. That very atmosphere speaks directly to our soul. Our soul is magnetized to one who has realized the soul. This pull uplifts us and focuses our attention on the spiritual gifts within ourselves.
If we wish to improve in our meditations, think about how we spend time during the day. If we spent time in the company of a spiritually realized being and spiritually minded people, we would find that our attention would be more concentrated and our meditations would be more fruitful. Choosing our company wisely can help us progress further on the spiritual way.
-H.H. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj
