While he was in the temple one evening, Latu found that he could not meditate; he returned to the Master’s room feeling discouraged. The Master asked, “Why have you come back so soon?” “I couldn’t concentrate my mind on japam.” “Why not?” “I don’t know,” answered Latu. “On other days when I sit for japam and meditation, I see something and the mind gets concentrated. But today nothing appeared. I tried hard to concentrate, but I failed.” He added: “On my way to the temple the thought came to me — if Mother would appear to me and offer a boon, what should I ask for?”
Immediately the Master said: “There’s the trouble. Can one do japam with the mind full of desires? Never let that happen again. When sitting to meditate one should not ask for anything… . If Mother ever insists on giving you something, then ask only for devotion to Her. Never ask for wealth, power, sense pleasures, or anything else.”