Spiritual matters must occur only in a context of love. When advice and instruction and help are given in compassion, in love-and not for money paid, there will be some feeling of appreciation; and in the context of appreciation and confidence there will be some spiritual benefit. Moreover, when the actions are done in love and not as part of money raising, money comes anyway.

An example: Here is a coconut palm tree (Baba raised his arm in an upright position). And up here (touching his wrist) are the coconuts. This tree has a shadow, which extends for a distance the ground. Now, a man who wishes to secure the coconuts climbs up the coconut tree. At the very time he is climbing the tree, his shadow may be seen climbing the shadow tree. And, when he plucks the coconuts, his shadow may be seen plucking the shadow coconuts. The man who climbs the real tree secures the real coconuts and, at the same time, his shadow self climbs the shadow tree and plucks the shadow coconuts. But if the man does not relish the task of climbing the real tree, and instead limits his action to climbing of the shadow tree, he will not get satisfaction from the shadow coconuts.

The shadow tree represents the world, and the shadow coconuts represent worldly prosperity. The real tree represents spiritual life and the real coconuts represent the fulfilment of life. Thus, the person who devotes his life and energy to spiritual values will automatically get Worldly benefits. (MBI, pp. 213-214)