Daily Reading 7. Swamiji tells us not to disturb the faith of others.
I was having coffee a few mornings ago [this was in 2007] with Dr. Graeme Codrington, founder of the TomorrowToday group. Although Graeme hails from an illustrious theological gene pool and despite having the qualifications and ordination, he elected not to explicitly pursue the ‘path of the cloth’ in this life. But that doesn’t stop him playing a very active role in his church and in the spiritual community.
Graeme and I were chatting about the issue of theological dogmatism or religious bigotry, and the havoc it can wreak. I was reminded of something Swamiji had said on the topic, and shared it with Graeme. Here’s what Swamiji said: ‘You have no right to disturb the faith of another person.’ That’s it. A classic aphorism [succinct statement expressing an opinion or a general truth] or maha vakya in one simple phrase.]
What we sadhakas from the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa learned from Swamiji, [among many other things of course] was this: The religious or spiritual evolution of another person is not your or my responsibility. We may become (if sufficiently pure of heart and ego-reduced) a vessel, conduit or instrument in the hands of the Divine to facilitate some tiny facet of their progress. But it’s not our job to prosyletise or ‘teach’ [unless God-realised or authorised by the Guru to do so] or, worst of all, ‘point out the error of their way of thinking.’ Swamiji told us again and again: MYOB – meaning, ‘Mind Your Own Business.’ And to certain people, Swamiji even said, ‘Mind Your Own Baby!’
When the Lord Jesus’ disciples asked him why he often spoke to people in parables, his answer was, ‘Lest understanding, they come to the knowledge of the Truth.’ That may sound confusing or unkind, but it isn’t. There are times, for all of us, when we simply aren’t ready for a particular insight, understanding or truth – at whatever level. We may not be equipped physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically or spiritually. The Divine will unfold, or ‘re-reveal’ what is needed at the right time, via the right delivery mechanism. All of which is quite a relief if we’re control-freaks or religious zealots, who feel personally responsible for the salvation or evolution of humankind.
So, when we’re tempted to inflict on another person, our perspective, or to share our ‘superior’ insights or understanding on a particular topic, we must resist the temptation. If, as and when we do discuss matters religious or spiritual, let’s do so from the perspective of highlighting commonality and similarity and not what’s different. We can learn from the old First Nations of America saying: ‘We climb the mountain from different sides, but from the top, we all see the same moon.’
That’s the essence of the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. The Universality of religions. He encapsulated the concept by saying, ‘Religions are like rivers. They all flow into that One ocean called God.’ In Sanskrit it’s ‘Ekam sat vipra bahuda vadanti‘ – Truth is One, Sages call it by various names.’ – Rigveda 1.164.46.
Underlined words are linked to clarification, explanation or other sources. Just tap on them.
The free-to-read or download, 396-page Flipbook version of Swamiji’s biography, ‘A Life Lived For Others‘, is available by clicking HERE. If you’d prefer the PDF version, please click HERE.
For our gurubhai Atmaprakash Kramer’s beautiful pictorial ‘memoir’ booklet of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Avoca Ashram, please click HERE.
There’s also a Facebook site for Swamiji’s posts now. They feature newer readings published more recently. Click HERE to view.
These recordings or the excerpts from them, were made from the early 1970s onward, by Mother Radha, a close devotee of Swamiji’s and edited for uploading here by our gurubhai and her son, Brother Tim. Please be mindful that what Swamiji was saying may have been specific to those with him at the time.