Swamiji on late-comers and time-management.
In South Africa, we have a joking comment about 'African time' or 'Indian time.' Both self-deprecating labels come from within the ethnic groups themselves, so they're not racist stereotypes.
In this instance, in desperation, Swamiji stood outside the shrine building entrance, to embarrass the habitual latecomers as they arrived. A shocking indictment on us, when he'd made similar time-keeping requests over many years.
Swamiji stressed to us again and again, that this was 'an appointment with God.' How much more seriously does it deserve to be taken? Swamiji doesn't take any prisoners in this discussion. Please listen to it and if you fall into the 'tardy' category, please break the habit. Even in business, people who are habitually late aren't taken seriously. It signals to the other person, 'You, your scheduling and priorities don't matter'.
Swamiji gives example after example about the numerous situations in which we would never dare to be late, but yet some of us treat satsang and spiritual-service appointments with some kind of disregard or indifference. This speaks volumes about us, as sadhakas. In some religions, it's called 'paying lip service.' I pray we aren't guilty of that.
To listen to this saddening audio clip, please click on the link below. Jai Sri Ramakrishna!
Duration: 05:35
The original audio recordings of these posts were made by close Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa and Swami Shivapadananda devotee, Mother Radha. The audio editing and noise reduction of the original 1970s-onwards tapes, has been lovingly engineered, over many years, by her son and our dear gurubhai, Brother Tim. May Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji bless them both.
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Context: As always, care should be taken to remember that what Swamiji was saying, may have been very specific to the needs of people with him at the time. Please bear this in mind.
Links to our Guruparampara (spiritual lineage) organisations, which will broaden your knowledge base: Ramakrishna Math and Mission and our alma maters, the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa and the Sri Sarada Devi Ashram in Durban.
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