The Seed of Intensity

I often wonder what keeps Kriya Master Per H. Wibe going. Forty years of unimaginable dedication to achieve silence—what fuels such commitment? What motivates him to meditate day and night without ever growing bored or tired?

I have seen him live alone in a single room for days, without a television, phone, books, or even the company of another person. Yet, he glows with bliss, radiating an inner peace that is both captivating and profound.

One day, I asked him, “Master, when will I develop intensity like yours?”

He replied with his characteristic calmness, “It has to grow from within. It will take its own time.”

“Can you help me achieve silence like you?” I asked eagerly. “You are a Kriya Master. You can do anything.”

He smiled gently. “It is not something I can give you by simply placing my hand on your head. I can support you, but the effort and practice must come from you.”

I then asked him how to stay motivated all the time.

His response was simple yet profound. “If someone enjoys cooking, painting, or playing cricket, they pursue it with joy—it’s always on their mind. No one has to push them. Your own interest is the key.”

That conversation stayed with me. I began pondering how to cultivate such a genuine interest in meditation.

One day, while serving soup to my daughter, I found an answer. Teaching her good eating habits hadn’t been easy. Introducing a new vegetable, soup, or fruit was often met with resistance. I would gently encourage her, saying, “You don’t have to eat the whole thing. Just taste a little—maybe a spoonful, a bite, or a piece. No more than that.”

I expected no miracles overnight. It took months, even years, to develop her taste for certain foods. Some she embraced; others she didn’t. But the gradual process built her confidence, as she came to trust that I wouldn’t push her to eat what she disliked. Over time, she began making better food choices on her own, as familiarity replaced resistance.

This experience offered me clarity: developing an interest in meditation is like acquiring a new taste—just a little effort at a time.

Later, at a family gathering, I noticed some people enjoying alcohol. I wondered how they could find pleasure in something with such a bitter taste. It occurred to me that it probably began with a small taste, and over time, repeated experiences built their habit.

Similarly, practicing even a little meditation daily can nurture intensity. At first, the change may seem subtle or even unnoticeable, but each session brings a sense of peace that encourages you to continue. Initially, miseries may push you to meditate, but soon the practice becomes a joy in itself. It’s like diving into the depths of a serene ocean—an experience so fulfilling that you can’t help but return, again and again.

---