The journey in Sadhana

Once a disciple asked his guru: "I came to your ashram for peace and to attain self-realization. But what is happening here is totally the opposite! Problems, badmouthing by others, emotional distress, gossips. Why is all this happening to me?"

Ashram construction was going on at that time. Guru took him with him to supervise the
work. While walking, guru said, "Walk carefully, there are stones, sand, iron pipes and rods strewn all around. There is also much noise of the machines and disarray all around. Only if these can be tolerated can we eventually see a fine ashram built, isn’t it? In just the same way, a sadhaka has to undergo tremendous pressures and miseries to attain the ultimate bliss. No one is an exception to this fact."