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Main Index
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farther away from the source. Christ is turning back, has taken the turn.
The Christian word 'conversion' means exactly that: turning back. Conversion does not mean a Hindu becoming a Christian, or a Mohammedan becoming a Christian. Conversion means Adam becoming Christ. It has nothing to do with Christianity; it has something to do with Christhood itself. By becoming a Christian you don't become converted, nothing changes. You were a Hindu and you were rushing into the world of desires, then you become a Christian and you go on rushing into the same world -- just the label on you changes. Now you are no more called a Hindu, you are called a Christian. Or you can be a Christian and can get converted to being a Hindu -- that is not conversion either.
Conversion means a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn -- Adam turning back, the way back.
Buddhists have an even more beautiful word for it. It is called PARAVRITTI -- that exactly means about-turn and exactly a hundred and eighty degrees. Less than that won't do. If you miss even by a single degree, you will still be rushing into the world.
That is the meaning of my sannyas too -- the way back.
And 'the rest' means our short human life, so short that rain or wind, grief or passion, are of little moment or meaning.
Now listen to the doka:
A REST ON THE WAY BACK
FROM THE LEAKY ROAD
TO THE NEVER-LEAKING ROAD;
IF IT RAINS, LET IT RAIN;
IF IT BLOWS, LET IT BLOW.
Our human life is so momentary. There is no point in getting disturbed about it. Somebody has insulted you and you make so much fuss -- and it is so momentary! It is not going to stay. All is going to be lost. Or somebody has succeeded and goes mad. Or somebody has accumulated much wealth and cannot walk on the earth, starts flying.
In the ancient days in Rome there was a tradition, a beautiful tradition. It should be followed in every country. Whenever a Roman conqueror would come back -- he had conquered new countries, had been a great soldier, was coming with great success and victory -- the masses, the crowds, the mob, would shout in joy. He was greeted like a god. The
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