Talk 170.
D.: Can a yogi know his past lives?M.: Do you know the present life so well that you wish to know the past. Find out the present life, then the rest will follow. Even with our present limited knowledge we suffer so much. Why do you wish to burden yourself with more knowledge and suffer more?
D.: Can fasting help realisation?
M.: But it is temporary. Mental fast is the real aid. Fasting is not an end in itself. There must be spiritual development side by side. Absolute fasting makes the mind weak too. You cannot derive sufficient strength for the spiritual quest. Therefore take moderate food and go on practising.
D.: They say that after breaking a month's fast, ten days afterwards the mind becomes pure and steady and remains so forever.
M.: Yes, if the spiritual quest has been kept up right through the fast also.