The way of attaining spiritual knowledge is quite opposite to the way by which one attains worldly knowledge. As the sky is in the opposite direction to the earth, so the source of knowledge of spiritual things is opposite to the knowledge of the world. As man becomes intellectual, he knows things of the world; but it does not mean that he becomes spiritual. On the contrary, he goes further from spirituality by his thought, ‘I understand worldly things.’

What is the best way of attaining spiritual knowledge? First, one must develop in one’s nature that little spark which is divine, and which is shining in one’s infancy, showing something pure, of Heaven. What attracts us most is innocence, it is innocence which gives an impression of purity. But, we must not understand this wrongly; knowledge of the world is necessary, more than necessary; it is necessary to live in the world, to make the best of one’s life, to serve God and humanity. Knowledge of the world is not necessary to attain spiritual knowledge; innocence is necessary for that.

One sees among one’s friends, relatives, something which attracts one most, perhaps this is the side of the nature which is innocence. People forgive those who are dear to them, they tolerate their faults. They say, “He is wrong, but he is innocent.” There is purity which is divine, and which attracts everyone. Innocence is like a spring of water, purifying all that is foreign to heart and soul.

Innocence is not foreign to our nature,
we have all been innocent.

How can one attain innocence? Innocence is not foreign to our nature, we have all been innocent. By being conscious of this nature, we develop it; in admiring that nature, appreciating it, we also develop it. All things which we admire become impressions. Those who have had a bad nature, but who have collected good impressions, will in time turn their nature.

During my travelling in India, the purpose of which was to pay homage to the sages of that land, the thing which appealed most to me was that the greater the soul was, the greater was the innocence. One sees in them innocence, not simplicity. The one who is simple does not understand; we see this in everyday life, he closes his eyes.

Innocence is to understand and to rise above. Every person sees another through his own glasses; prejudice stands often between. For insight, unity is necessary. When that attribute is developed one has attained spirituality. Man becomes wise after having been intellectual; he rises above the intellect. He sees cause behind cause, and understands the way of his enemy.

Would it be practical to live altogether according to this principle? A principle is to be used, not to guide our life. When people make of a principle a chain, it becomes captivity. Life is freedom. One cannot force oneself to innocence. Can there be any sign of piety or spirituality? There is no better sign than innocence with all understanding.