When the Parrot taught me a lesson on Spiritual Focus
A friend of mine had a parrot, and its antics were truly endearing. Every time I visited, I couldn’t help but smile at its chirpy personality and attention-seeking charm. Somewhere deep down, I wished that I too had a parrot.
And as destiny would have it — the wish manifested. One fine day, a previously domesticated parrot flew straight into my window and refused to leave. It was gentle, friendly, and completely at ease around people. After a few attempts to let it fly away, I realised it had chosen me. I decided to adopt it and even set up a small enclosure for its safety — away from fans, wires, and appliances.
I called him Totaram, Totaji, or sometimes Tota Maharaj, and lovingly, just Tots. He was adorable — playful, demanding, and full of personality. But as time went by, something subtle began to shift.
The Sweet Trap of Affection
What began as affection soon became attachment. I noticed that Tots started consuming more and more of my time — time that was earlier devoted to my meditation and spiritual practice.
His antics were hard to resist, but they slowly began to scatter my attention. I found myself delaying my sadhana, getting engrossed in tending or playing with him. Until, I received a short WhatsApp forward that stopped me in my tracks.
A Divine Reminder Through a Simple Story
The message read:
Guruji often said: “We must be like the naughty child. When the baby cries, the mother gives it playthings, hoping to satisfy it so that she can go about her household duties. But as often as the mother gives the naughty child toys, he picks them up and throws them on the floor and goes on crying for the mother. To that child the mother must respond.”
It is the same with the Divine: so long as the Cosmic Mother sees that we are satisfied with a gift, She will go on dropping playthings to us and keep Herself away. But if we are able to convince Her of our sincerity by the constancy of our devotion, by our unconditional love, by our humility and self-surrender, crying, “Mother, no longer can we be satisfied with Your toys; we want only You!” — then the Divine Mother responds to us.
~ Sri Sri Daya Mataji, “Only Love”
Reading this, something within me stirred. I realised that even blessings can become distractions if they shift our focus away from the Divine.
Clarity, Focus, and Spiritual Progress
In that moment of recognition, I remembered the timeless wisdom of Master Choa Kok Sui:
“Your spiritual progress depends on your clarity of thought and sharpness of mind. Do not get stuck. Do not freeze. Keep on moving.”
Whether it’s a parrot, a possession, or a passing fascination — life constantly offers us “playthings.” They may look innocent, even joyful, but they can quietly consume our time, energy, and focus.
True progress requires awareness — to stay alert, observe where attention drifts, and gently return it to what truly nourishes the soul.
When the Student Is Ready, the Master Appears
Interestingly, my awakening didn’t come through a meditation or sermon — it came through a simple WhatsApp forward. (Read more: Seeing God in Nature — A Flower as Your Teacher).
The lesson was clear: the Divine communicates in many forms, often through small, everyday experiences. But to receive the message, one must be watchful and receptive.
The Quiet Return to Practice
Since that day, my mornings have found their rhythm again. Totaram still chirps and plays, but I no longer lose myself in his charm. The affection remains, but with awareness.
The parrot came into my life as a blessing — and became a teacher.
It reminded me that spiritual strength is not just about devotion or practice; it’s about clarity — knowing where your energy flows, and choosing consciously what you give your attention to.
Reflection
Every day, the world offers countless “parrots” — things that demand attention, affection, and time. The spiritual journey is not about rejecting them, but about remembering who holds your true devotion.
Because when focus returns to the Divine, even a parrot’s chirp can sound like a call to higher awareness.
