For us this is not a profession, it is our life. When you engage in something that you like in life, when you engage in a profession that you like, the responses are different. In the ashram we have to learn to manage ourselves very much. If there is a dispute with somebody, I have to live with that person for twenty-four hours. Either I can be aggressive and rude and cut myself off, or I again readjust my thoughts and understanding to live with that person more congenially. This does not happen in the outside world. If you do not like a person you can walk out of the house. You can have different diversions – you can go to your friend’s house, have a beer; go to the beach, a movie or a park and spend some time, cool down, then come back.
In the ashram there is no cooling down period. One has to be always naturally attentive. At least I am, that has been my training. Other people can have disagreements. I do not have any disagreement with anybody. I believe this training has come in handy. There are many sannyasins who are not exposed to that level of training. They work, but they do not have the training to deal with their own mind. I have been here since childhood and had to face every situation.
It is international common sense. The first bit of common sense was put by a leprechaun in Ireland which gave me the gift of gab. The second change took place in England, where I had to interact with children and I was able to command respect from them. Imagine an Indian becoming the head of a children’s group in England; it was not going to be easy. I was able to relate to them and they related with me. So the intellectual understanding came when I was in England. In each country I learnt something. That gave me a wide understanding of different natures. I can see the difference in behaviour between a German, a Frenchman, a Britisher, an American, including the ideological differences that can be there.
In a way, I was lucky that Swamiji exposed me to different human natures. By exposing myself to them, I was able to learn how to live with it comfortably. It has helped me in my life. I do not think that I am helping anybody. I do my thing and move on. If I keep thinking that I have done something nice and good, I will be stuck in the past. The needs of every individual are different, so I try to help them, then move on to the next and then to the next.
I have not developed any personal association with anyone.
I do not consider myself to be a friend of anyone. I consider myself to be a well-wisher of everyone. As well-wisher whatever I can do to help, I will do. Friendship is much deeper, and for that the minds have to align. If there is no alignment of minds, there is no friendship.
11 March 2023, Bihar Yoga Tradition Teaching for Teachers, Ganga Darshan, Munger