I am an invisible child of a thousand faces of love that floats over the swirling sea of life, surrounded by the meadows of the winged shepherds, where stillness of midnight summer’s warmth pervades.

Often I pass to the place where there is no separation of the sun and moon, but where eternal light spreads a carpet of sparkling reflections of itself within the heart and eyes of all – even those who are blind to see. Where sweetness has no taste, for it is the essence of all beings and where teardrops water flowers of happiness and pass into brooklets of experience and then to the open sea.

Life often cuts at my body and mind and though blood may be seen passing and a cry might be heard, do not be deceived that sorrow could dwell within my being or suffering within my soul. There shall never be a storm that can wash the path from my feet, the direction from my heart, the light from my eyes or the purpose from this life.

I know that I am untouchable to the forces as long as I have a direction, an aim, a goal to serve, to love and to give. Strength lies in the magnification of the secret qualities of my own personality, my own character and though I am only a messenger, I am me.

Let me decorate many hearts and paint a thousand faces with colours of inspiration and soft silent sounds of value. Let me be like a child, running barefoot through the forest of laughing and crying people, giving flowers of imagination and wonder that God gives free.

Do I have time to ask whom shall I love? From whom shall I ask for something more than I have been given? Or what is meant by the signs that pass before my windows? I learned to read half a century ago but found it to be useful for speaking only to those who live by the books. I shall not pretend to understand nor shall I try to reason for the sake of rationalization. Yesterday I sat in the park and shared an afternoon with the divine and myself.

And who am I? Do not be deceived by my words, my manner, my way or by my friendliness or by the image of a man. I sleep, eat, talk and play with you and others but remember that the gift of inspiration, of perfection, is a priceless island of treasure, which that whom we call God placed at the end of rainbows.

If I believe I have strength to hold back seas, to move mountains and the determination to live life, it is because I have felt and seen an image of inspiration visible to my unseeing eyes.

Yes, I cried yesterday when I read sorrow in the heart of my love, for I am more than human and I laughed from my belly when I saw two camels playing in a sea of yellow. I am not insensitive nor have I dulled my senses, but never shall I become submerged or lost in the experience of these images, of these feelings, of these emotions.

Don’t think that as a child my heart cannot turn as hard as stone when the arrow of opposition to what I believe in tries to pierce my centre of principle and character. I have a cause, a meaning, a warmth for individuality, all as a means for living in this life, for striding steps forward, for achieving a mission.

Shall I fall on bended knees and wait for someone to bless me with happiness and a life of golden dreams?

No, I shall run into the desert of laughing and crying people with my arms wide open, sometimes falling, sometimes stumbling, but always picking myself up – a thousand times if necessary, sometimes happy. Often life will burn me, often life will caress me tenderly, and many of my days shall be haunted by obstacles and complications and there shall be moments so beautiful that my soul shall weep in ecstasy. I shall be a witness but never shall I turn from life, from me.

Never shall I forsake myself or the timeless lessons I have taught myself, nor shall I let the value of divine inspiration and being be lost. My rainbow covered bubble shall carry me further than beyond the horizons setting, forever to serve, to love and live as a sannyasin.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati