A saint was being interviewed by a reputed journalist in New York.
Journalist: Sir, in your last lecture, you spoke about 'Contact' and 'Connection', but it was very confusing. Can you explain the difference between the two?
The saint smiled and took a different approach. He started questioning the reporter instead.
Saint: Are you from New York?
Journalist: Yeah...
Saint: Who all do you have in your family?
The journalist felt that the sage is trying to avoid his question because this question was very personal and very off-topic from what the sage was asked.
But he still answered: My mother is no more. So, there's my Father and 3 brothers and a sister. All married.
The saint asked with a smile: Do you talk to your father?
The journalist's face started showing signs of anger.
The saint asked: When did you last speak to your Father?
Suppressing his anger, the journalist replied: Maybe a month ago.
The saint asked: Do you see your brothers and sisters often? When did you all last meet as a family?
With this question, sweat broke out on the journalist's forehead. Am I taking this interview, or is he?
It felt like the saint was interviewing the journalist.
With a sigh, the journalist said: Christmas, but 2 years ago.
The saint further asked: For how many days did you all stay together?
"3 days," the journalist replied, wiping away his tears.
Saint: How much time did you all (children) spend sitting close to your father?
The journalist was taken aback and looked embarrassed. He started scribbling on a paper.
The saint continued: Did you have breakfast, lunch or dinner with your father?
Did you ask him how he was?
How does he spend time after your mother's passing?
The saint held the journalist's hand and said: Don't be ashamed, or sad. I'm sorry if I have
inadvertently/unknowingly hurt you.
But this is the answer to your question on 'Contact and Connection'.
You are only in 'contact' with your father, but you have no 'connection' with him...you are not connected to him.
Connection is always with the soul. It is between hearts.
Sitting together, sharing meals and taking
care of each other, touch, handshakes, eye contact, spending a little time together...
With all this, you are just in contact with your father and siblings, but you all don't have any real connection with each other.
The journalist wiped his eyes and said: Thank you for this invaluable and unforgettable lesson.
Today, this has become the reality of India as well.
Everyone has thousands of contacts. But there is no connection.
There is no real talk, real discussion or sharing of thoughts.
Everyone is lost in their own fake world.
That saint who gave this lesson was none other than *"Swami Vivekananda"*.
కామెంట్లు లేవు:
కామెంట్ను పోస్ట్ చేయండి