You have been listening to My discourses for years. If you are merely content to listen, it is sheer waste of time. You have to ruminate over what you have heard and try to put into practice the teachings. Sravanam (listening), Mananam (reflecting) and Nidhidhyasanam (putting into practice what has been learnt) are the three stages in the spiritual journey. Repeating parrot-like what one has heard earns not even the merit of enjoying the sweetness of the words. Claiming to be devotees and going about as devotees, few are caring to find out what is true devotion. Bhajans and Japas (singing and repeating God's name) and performance of yagas and yajnas (sacrifices and rituals) are not the real marks of devotion. They are merely exercises in washing out one's impurities. All the nine kinds of worship are also designed to achieve purity of mind and heart. But purity should find expression in action just as clothes that have been washed have to be worn. Without purity in action, the real nature of the Self cannot be recognised. (Divine Discourse, 11 July 1987)