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.
Most people try meditation because they want to feel calm or less stressed. And honestly, that’s a great place to start. But what if I told you the purpose of meditation is much deeper than just peace of mind?
In Beyond the Mind: The Golden Lotus Sutras on Meditation by Grand Master Choa Kok Sui, there’s a beautiful truth shared:
“The purpose of meditation in the long run is to achieve oneness with your higher soul.”
Understanding the Purpose of Meditation
So… what is meditation really for? Is it just sitting quietly with closed eyes?
Grand Master Choa Kok Sui explains that the purpose of meditation is actually to help you become one with your Higher Soul. In simple words, it means connecting with the real you—the wiser, more loving, more powerful part of yourself.
When you meditate, something amazing starts to happen. Slowly, all the things that weigh you down—like anger, fear, stress, jealousy—begin to fade away. Meditation has a purifying effect. It gently removes the negative stuff inside, making room for more love, peace, and clarity.
As Master says:
“Meditation speeds up the evolutionary process by gradually purifying negative tendencies.”
So yeah, meditation helps you relax—but it also helps you grow.
What Happens When You Connect With Your Soul?
As your connection to your higher soul gets stronger, your whole life starts to shift. You begin to feel more whole, more peaceful, and more fulfilled. You start living with more integrity and compassion—because you’re guided by your soul, not just your mind or emotions.
Grand Master Choa Kok Sui also shares this gem:
“The greater the infusion of divine energy from the higher soul, the stronger the soul contact becomes. You become more magnetic. Soul energy is the integrating factor.”
That means when you’re connected to your higher self, people feel it. They’re drawn to your energy. You become naturally peaceful, happy, and attractive—not because of how you look, but because of how you are.
That’s the real purpose of meditation. It transforms you from the inside out.
How to Begin Your Meditation Journey
If you’re wondering how to start, here’s a powerful suggestion straight from Grand Master Choa Kok Sui: Meditation on Twin Hearts.
This special meditation doesn’t just calm the mind. It opens the heart. It helps you bless the earth, heal yourself, and connect with divine energy—all at once. It’s simple, guided, and full of light.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just need to start.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
The purpose of meditation isn’t just stress relief (though that’s a bonus!). It’s about awakening the best version of yourself. It’s about growing, healing, and becoming one with your higher soul.
Peace is not the destination—it’s the result of living from the soul.
So, next time you sit to meditate, remember: you’re not just finding calm… you’re finding you.
Do you start meditation, but find it difficult to continue doing? Check out our related blog on “How to Build a Meditation Habit that lasts a lifetime?”
