WORSHIP TYPES

227. O you who are masters of your mind! Worship of My Divine Person shall be kn
own to be
of two kinds, outer and inner. That which is performed in the view of others and
has as object a
material Image or Symbol of My Divine Self, is to be known as outer worship. Tha
t which is
performed in the secrecy of one's own heart and has as object a mental Image or
Vision of
Myself, is to be known as inner worship.
228. As to which of the two is better than the other, let it be a matter for the
philosophers and
the logicians to debate. It behoves not a Yogi, who has entered upon the Path of
Unity, to indulge
in such disputes. Whatever action, whether physical or mental, brings one closer
to Me, that very
action is dear to Me. For whatever power brings two beings together, the very sa
me is a
manifestation of My Divine Power of Unity (Yoga).
229. I therefore declare unto you that inner and outer worship are each to be se
en as equally
efficacious, profitable to the faithful and pleasing to Me as the other.
230. As a man's works are manifestations of his inner thoughts, just so all form
s are
manifestations of My Formless Self. They express My Unmanifest Glory. They refle
ct Truth
even as a lake reflects the Sky.
231. My Image, when reverenced with a pure heart, enables the devotee to rise ab
ove himself
and come closer to Me, the Supreme Lord. It is by My Divine Power that he does s
o.
232. Verily, outer, physical worship consisting of bowing down, ringing bells, c
hanting,
offering incense and flowers and piously gazing upon a material Image of My Pers
on, is but an
expression of My Divine Power of Action with which I, the Lord, have endowed the
human Soul
for My Own Pleasure and out of compassion for him.
233. Likewise, inner, mental worship consisting of imagining Me in the secret ch
amber of one's
heart, contemplating, meditating upon Me and uniting one's Soul with Mine, is bu
t an expression
of My Divine Power of Knowledge which I, the Lord, have infused into the human S
oul for My
Own Delight and out of love for him.
234. All these actions and powers are aspects of the Power of Yoga. By that Powe
r I hold the
Universe together. By the same, too, I bring the Soul closer to Myself.
235. Unto those who say that My inner worship is a hundred times more excellent
than outer
worship, reply that it is not easily attainable by all. For every action depends
upon the capacit
y,
physical, mental or Spiritual, of the agent.
236. But devotion makes every act of worship holy, O noble ones! In whatever way
one
worships Me with devotion, that I am greatly pleased with. Whether it be a praye
r, a leaf, a

flower, a fruit, gold or mere water, if it is offered unto Me with devotion by a

faithful devotee,
he
is dear to Me.
237. For I am the Lord Who can see into the heart of My devotee. And the flame o
f his
devotion shall fan the Fire of My Grace, without fail.
238. Know that devotion is the direct expression of My Grace and the power where
by I Myself
elevate My devotee into My Presence. The question of inner or outer does not ari
se in Me, the
Universal Consciousness, Who Hold all things within Myself.
239. Therefore, censure not one who is devoted to Me. For, whether he answers My
Grace as a
babe answers his mother's caress or as a grown woman answers her sweetheart's em
brace, is all
the same to Me.