I am not going to be here forever, so don’t escape from the ocean.

Look…

The ocean has started raining and is sending messages through the winds, through the dance of the trees. Accept the invitation of something greater than you, that makes you great.

The old proverb says: “A man is known by the company he keeps.” Never keep company with smaller things, because they make you small. Keep company with vast experiences – they make you great. They bring you to your ultimate splendor and glory.

One thing I can promise to you – if you want to try it you can try – run for the dry land and I am coming with you!

In Italy sannyasins are collecting thousands of signatures against the Italian government’s order that I cannot enter Italy. They even wanted me to become the president of the Radical Party. I refused. I said, “This is not radicalism what you are doing; this is sheer stupidity. It may create a little nuisance, but it is not going to transform man.” They wanted me to become the president, because then they have more weight to put over the government. Their constitution allows that they can choose the president from anywhere in the world. The secretary will be an Italian and he is the real head. The president will be a formal head. But I refused. I said, “Your Radical Party is not radical enough for me. It is more on the ridiculous side.”

But if you go there, I am coming. I have always felt a soft spot for Italians. I don’t know why. I have not even tasted spaghetti, and I will never taste it; just the name makes me afraid.

If people start finding a dry land in Italy, then the ocean has to fall. It is not the ocean that is coming to you, it is me – and you are afraid of me. You have long been associated with me and now the spring is close and the hesitancy and the fear…What will the unknown bring to you?

I informed you to come into Lao Tzu and work in the library. You became frightened, because to be too close to me is dangerous. You have chosen to continue to work in the kitchen making spaghetti. You know that spaghetti is a protection; I will not come to that side. There is no need to go to Italy. Just here if you can go on making spaghetti – even if I smell it that is enough – I will not come close to that place. That is the only security from the ocean. There is no need to learn how to drown or how to swim, just remain drowned in spaghetti. That will keep me away.

But you cannot escape. You have crossed that line a long time ago. I know my people who have crossed the line from where they cannot return. And I know my people who have still not reached that line.