Like the word virtue, purity is a word, in the West certainly, which is associated with religious movements advocating total abstinence from pleasure. It is often regarded with some amusement, even scorn, and yet in fact, it is the basis for the greatest human accomplishment. It is the foundation of virtue. How?

Imagine a really beautiful room; perfectly if simply furnished, flooded with natural sunlight, soft pastel washed walls, thick carpets, ornaments positioned with precision but ease. Someone walks in, sits down, picks something up, puts it down in a different place - stands up, leaving cushions dipped and creased. A second person enters, puts on some music, starts a conversation. Then third, a fourth, a fifth. The volume increases. An argument begins. It’s meant to be a party. Then suddenly something is broken. Something very precious with noise, the hostess, anxious, worn but with a sense of quality about her, walks in. But it is too late. Her lack of vigilance has taken its toll.

This is the story of purity. All human beings have a space inside which is filled with virtue, with possessions and treasures. For some, the space may be small, for others there is a neglected palace somewhere in their souls. When a soul begins its life, that space is completely unspoilt, filled with light. But when the first person walks in, when a person allows that sanctuary to be invaded, something is lost. It may just be a dip in their integrity, but something has gone. They have stretched out their hand, perhaps initially as a gesture of friendship, but with it have come the force of external influence and the inroad into self-esteem.

One person has entered, then a second, a third, a fourth. A party. Each visitor brings with them an idea and the noise of disagreement begins. Humanity is now abuzz with internal rowdy parties. Then, the break age. This comes for all of us, though if the noise is loud enough, we may not even notice the moment when the most personal and valued aspect of our being is smashed. The worst point, when our talents - whatever they may be - are destroyed.

At that point, we just have to stop and meditate, to call an end to the party completely. Every hostess knows, it takes supreme strength to stop and clear up after a party. Much easier to go to sleep and do it later. What is needed? Internally an invitation to a Supreme Strength to come and restore light and order. God.

Meet a truly pure soul and they can walk right through you leaving no mark at all, only a sense of light and optimism. As they leave you, you feel that you are genuinely alone again, alone to appreciate the special quality within you that their presence has so gently highlighted.

When God walks into your life, it is like a laser beam passing across your being. The mess is horribly visible. And yet as the light enters, its principal tendency is to restore beauty and value. Meditation is an invitation to light. So what does God say about purity? God doesn’t say be alone, hide from the world, be like a fastidious housewife who winces when anything is touched. God enjoys a party, but He teaches respect, the respect which enjoys company, conversation, laughter but allows no lasting impression to be made on one’s mental environment.