Question: If man, when dissatisfied with the world, escapes the world and seeks out higher planes of existence, how will humanity ever be able to establish peace and happiness on earth?

Sri Chinmoy: The world is all imperfection. Life stands as a huge question. Evil is seen everywhere. These are the problems that we face every day. Moreover, the more spiritually advanced a man is, the greater is his suffering from the present conditions of the world. He sees the disease, he feels the disease; but he has no proper medicine. Even if he has a remedy, it is not enough to cure all earthly ailments. So he often feels that his fight will be of no avail and therefore takes the easier path, the path of escape into the Bliss of the higher planes.

But this can never be the case with the divine warrior. He will fight until the victory is won. Now, what do we mean by his “victory”? It is the establishment of the Kingdom of God here on earth, and not just in some higher world. As he knows that the Divine is omnipresent, he seeks to reveal Him in everyday life. If we are not satisfied with the world as it is, that is no reason for leaving it. On the contrary, we should try to change it — physically or intellectually or spiritually — depending on our own development and capacities.

God is perfect Perfection. This Perfection can be achieved only when there is an inseparable union between matter and spirit, between the outer and the inner life.

Some people want only to meditate. They do not want to give anything to the world. They have acquired some inner wealth, but they are afraid that the moment they try to offer it to the ignorant world, the world will misunderstand or misuse them. So they act like misers. This is selfishness. Again, there are some who want to give but do not want to meditate. This is foolishness. If we do not meditate, if we do not possess something, then how are we going to give? There are many people on earth who are ready to give, but what do they have? So we have to play our part. First we have to achieve; then we have to offer. In this way we can please God and fulfil mankind.