Devotion and faith ensure the gift of knowledge of the Spirit, the great prize for the adventure of birth, life, and death. When the mind weds pravritti (worldly activity), the progeny is bondage; when it weds nivritti (spiritual renunciation), the progeny is freedom. Nivritti confers fearlessness, even while you accept a little of it. It gives strength and courage, for it is desire that weakens man and makes him cringe before those in authority and with influence. Detachment endows you with self-respect and the capacity to stand up to slander and calumny. There are some who weep at the slightest sign of defeat or disappointment. This is despicable behaviour. Why should you have fear or sorrow, with the Lord installed in the altar of your heart? Do you not know He is there, guarding you and guiding you? He is in all beings, at all times. Endeavour to remember this fact, whatever you may be doing, whoever you may be contacting, in whatever manner. You will succeed in this, provided you do not give up the recitation of His Name. – Divine Discourse, Oct 24, 1965