Picture: Happy song when released from the tiny cage
Jesus answered, “Who Is my mother? Who are my brethren? …Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12: 48-50). In this episode from Jesus’ life he makes clear that spiritual connection is more important that blood ties.
This can come as a great test for the aspirant; not just with family but also friends, business associates, even what strangers might think of you if they knew your deep spiritual nature. The fear of what others think, how they might judge you is a tyrant that never releases you from a self-made prison of what others expect and what judgements they may have.
To free yourself from this prison you must make what God thinks more important than what others think. There are times and situations that can really test your loyalty to God and your spiritual path.
One of the things Mother faced, that would be very difficult for many, was when she left for Anandashram in 1957 without any idea of whether she would return or not. Her daughter was pregnant with her first child. As much as Mother loved her children I can only imagine that this was a pull for her to stay, that her daughter would have very much wanted her mother there through the pregnancy and after the birth. However, today we are all the great beneficiaries that Mother chose God’s direction over familial considerations.
Each of us face the tyranny of what others think, and in order to have complete union with God you have to make the clear choice for Him alone.