DISCOURSES & TALKS BY MEHER BABA

 

CONFESS OPENLY

 

 

 

19th October, 1929

 

Each man candidly revealed his weaknesses before Baba, which pleased him. Afterward he remarked, "Now you do not have to repent for anything. You have been open with me and I have forgiven you for every wrongdoing. There are a few among you without any fault, but I have forgiven all the others."

 

 

Baba explained:

 

Just as I asked you today to confess openly your weaknesses, Jesus would meet daily with his mandali at a fixed time, and forgive their weaknesses and advise them. From this act of Jesus, the Catholics approach a priest for confession to this day. It is a good practice. But after a confession and pardon, the actions should not be repeated. If they are repeated, where is the benefit? It does no good if you commit 700 wrongs in seven days, and go to a priest to confess, only to repeat them later.

 

 

The priests, dasturs, mullahs, and preachers give long-winded sermons, but they prove ineffective. People listen with one ear and it goes out the other, for they continue committing sins. The reason for this is that only a Perfect Master can deal with [the consequences of] human offenses, underline their seriousness and influence the offender's mind. What impression can the words of a priest produce? It is the Knowledge of a Sadguru that creates a real impression and it is his Knowledge that has influence.

 

 

So be alert; do not make mistakes and commit errors for which you will later repent. The intensity of lust has broken the penance and austerity of even rishis and munis. So, what about you? Your luck has brought you into my sahavas [companionship] and you have been forgiven with your confession. In fact, your hearts should turn to water by my loving forgiveness, and I am not angry at your shortcomings. But I have forgiven you under the condition that you do not indulge in the offenses again.

 

 

How fortunate you all are that you have received my forgiveness today. It is my nature to forgive; and once I forgive, there is nothing to repent for.