The Bowl of Saki Commentary

On earth there are so many forces, so many attractions that draw one to the right or to the left, illusions that cast one into misery, enchanting distractions that take one from the path. There is the constant struggle with the idea that success consists in dominating another, exploiting another, conquering another.

All this is the foolish play of the ignorant who in their ignorance cause so much misery. The whole idea of heaven is the existence of a world where there is love, cooperation, and plenty for all, where humanity can escape the limitations with which it is bound upon earth. Yet the ignorant do not know that this is possible of attainment while still upon earth.

When one exploits oneself instead of another, when one dominates oneself instead of another, when one conquers oneself instead of another, heaven will be brought to earth.