Putovanje Svetlosti i Blaženstva

Nekada sam
Trpeo
Ravnodušnost noći neznanja.
A sad neznanje
Trpi noć moje ravnodušnosti.

Nekad sam
Trpeo
Torturu ljudskih ograničenja.
Ali njih
Nema više.
Nestala su
Na mom putovanju Svetlosti i Blaženstva
Naviše i unutra.

Pitanja o Blaženstvu: Halifax Centar (Kanada)

Pitanje: Šta znači ova vedska mantra:

Iz Blaženstva smo postali.
U Blaženstvo izrastamo.
Na kraju našeg putovanja u Blaženstvo se povlačimo.

Šri Činmoj: To je suptilna poruka koju su ponudili vedski proroci drevne prošlosti: Blaženstvo je naša unutrašnja prošlost. Blaženstvo je naša unutrašnja sadašnjost. Blaženstvo će biti naša unutrašnja budućnost.

Blaženstvo je izvor postojanja. Blaženstvo je smisao postojanja. Blaženstvo je jezik Beskonačnosti, Večnosti i Besmrtnosti.

Pitanje: Kad imamo iskustvo blaženstva, kako da ga zadržimo i dok ga doživljavamo kako da nastavimo da idemo i dalje od toga?

Šri Činmoj: Kad imamo iskustvo blaženstva, možemo ga zadržati nudeći svoju duševnu zahvalnost Svevišnjem i možemo ići i dalje od toga nudeći svoju stalno rastuću zahvalnost Svevišnjem.

Pitanje: Da li je moguće prizvati ili meditirati na blaženstvo i spustiti ga odozgo ili nam blaženstvo postepeno postaje sve očiglednije kako mu se predajemo?

Šri Činmoj: Možeš da prizoveš ili da meditiraš na blaženstvo i da ga spustiš odozgo. A opet, kad predaš svoju volju Božjoj Volji dok pročišćuješ svoj emocionalni život, možeš dosegnuti blaženstvo. Blaženstvo će ti postati očigledno.

Pitanje: Uvek sam na blaženstvo gledao kao na lakšu, manje duboku osobinu – kakvu, na primer, možemo zapaziti kod deteta koje nam deluje „očaravajuće”. Koje je božansko značenje blaženstva?

Šri Činmoj: Nažalost, grešiš kad razmišljaš o blaženstvu kao o lakšoj, manje dubokoj osobini koju vidimo u „očaravajućem“ detetu. Blaženstvo je Dragocenost Večnosti i Život Besmrtnosti. Očaravajuće dete, kad odraste, može vrlo često da izgubi svoj život iskustva blaženstva. Njegovo iskustvo ove vrste blaženstva može biti nešto prolazno. Ali kad stvarno božansko blaženstvo uđe u aspiranta, onda je to trajno iskustvo. E sad, šta je božanski smisao blaženstva? Božanski smisao blaženstva je Besmrtnost u celom biću.

Pitanje: Kako možemo da podelimo blaženstvo sa težećim i netežećim ljudima?

Šri Činmoj: Blaženstvo se može podeliti sa težećim ljudima, pošto oni cene blaženstvo. Oni znaju da je blaženstvo najvažnija stvar u životu. Kroz težnju i predanost možemo da ostvarimo Najviše i, u isto vreme, da budemo u stanju da podelimo blaženstvo sa drugima koji takođe teže. Ali, deliti blaženstvo sa netežećim ljudima je vrhunac gluposti, jer oni ne žele blaženstvo. Nemamo prava da bilo šta namećemo drugima. Naše nametanje nikad ne može povesti druge do Bogoostvarenja.

Pitanje: Guru, da li možeš da mi kažeš u čemu je razlika između radosti, ushićenja i blaženstva?

Sri Chinmoy: Šri Činmoj: Radost je na fizičkom nivou. Ushićenje je na unutrašnjem nivou, ali je usmereno ka nečemu određenom. Blaženstvo, sa svojom besmrtnom svetlošću, prožima celokupno biće.

Netežeća osoba može imati radost, ali ne može imati božansko ushićenje ili blaženstvo. Samo tragalac može iskusiti ushićenje i blaženstvo. Blaženstvo je intenzitet. Blaženstvo je sloboda Besmrtnosti koja neprestano leti nebom Beskonačnosti.

Pitanje: Kad osetimo blaženstvo u svojim svakodnevnim aktivnostima, kako da ga usmerimo?

Šri Činmoj: Kad osetimo blaženstvo u našim svakodnevnim aktivnostima, trebalo bi da ga usmerimo ili primenimo na preobražaj našeg emocionalnog vitalnog života i na usavršavanje naše zemaljske prirode, zemaljskog postojanja i zemaljskih stega.

Pitanje: Kako možemo da ubrzamo rast blaženstva?

Šri Činmoj: Rast blaženstva u sebi možemo da ubrzamo osećajući da je blaženstvo jedina stvar koja nam je bila potrebna, koja nam treba i koja će nam uvek trebati. Zašto? Zato što je blaženstvo naš Životni Dah Besmrtnosti.

Pitanje: Guru, možeš li da mi kažeš kako da svesno iskusim nektar blaženstva?

Šri Činmoj: Oprosti mi što moram da ti kažem da nisi dovoljno napredan da bi sada isprobao nektar blaženstva. Prvo se moli i meditiraj. Udovolji Bogu na Njegov sopstveni Način. Onda će te On blagosloviti blaženstvom, pa tada možeš da probaš blaženstvo koliko ti srce želi. Ali, trenutno samo nastoj da udovoljiš Bogu na Njegov sopstveni Način.

Pitanje: Kad možemo da očekujemo da osetimo blaženstvo?

Šri Činmoj: Možemo da čekujemo da osetimo blaženstvo kad budemo spremni; odnosno, kad kucne Božji Čas unutar našeg srca težnje.

Pitanje: Kako se blaženstvo ispoljava?

Šri Činmoj: Blaženstvo ispoljava sebe kroz svesno i neprestano doživljavanje zemaljske patnje, zemaljskog plača, zemaljske težnje i zemaljskog savršenstva.

Question: What is delight?

Sri Chinmoy: Delight is something which our aspiration-life constantly needs to manifest God on earth unreservedly and unconditionally.

Question: How can we have delight in our day-to-day life?

Sri Chinmoy: We can have delight in our day-to-day life by living only for God, by serving only God and by growing into the very image of God.

Questions on delight: Toronto Centre (Canada)

Question: What are the external signs of the inner experience of delight and how does delight relate to love?

Sri Chinmoy: A seeker will see the external signs of his inner experience of delight when his heart is embracing Heaven-Freedom and his eyes are illumining earth-bondage.

How does delight relate to love? Delight is love’s aspiration-height. Love is delight’s manifestation-might.

Question: If I radiate my delight in a very unreserved way, am I more likely to increase or disperse it?

Sri Chinmoy: If it is God’s Will for you to radiate your delight unreservedly, then definitely your delight will increase. If it is not His Will, you will undoubtedly disperse it.

Question: Is delight a quality of consciousness or an occasional experience? How can we receive delight?

Sri Chinmoy: Delight is not a quality of consciousness. Consciousness experiences delight on the strength of its aspiration. If we have the real need for delight and if we are ready to cry constantly for it, then we receive delight.

Question: Do human beings, because of their limited nature, experience delight as an entity separate from the Supreme?

Sri Chinmoy: No. Delight can never be experienced as an entity separate from the Supreme, for the Supreme and Delight are inseparable. The Supreme at once embodies and manifests Delight.

Question: You have said that it is very difficult to bring down delight for the disciples. Is there any particular reason for this?

Sri Chinmoy: There are two reasons. One reason is that some disciples don’t aspire most sincerely and the other reason is that the physical and vital impurity of the disciples unconsciously or consciously resists the descent of delight.

Question: Is Delight the highest aspect of the Supreme?

Sri Chinmoy: Peace, Light and Delight fall into the same category. These three qualities are the highest aspects of the Supreme. Peace spreads, Light illumines, Delight immortalises: these are their destined roles.

Question: How does delight become manifest?

Sri Chinmoy: When Divinity’s Compassion and humanity’s aspiration meet together, delight becomes manifest on earth.

Question: What is the easiest way to bring down delight into the physical being?

Sri Chinmoy: The easiest way to bring down delight into the physical being is by making the physical more receptive, more dynamic and more self-giving.

Question: How does delight relate to beauty?

Sri Chinmoy: Beauty is the flower. Delight is the fragrant lustre of the flower.

Question: Could you comment on this mantra?

“From Delight we came into existence.
In Delight we grow.
At the end of our journey’s close, into Delight we retire.”

Sri Chinmoy: God has written an open letter to His human children. His letter runs: “My sweetest children, you are the only Delight of My universal Existence.”

Question: How is the delight one experiences from ordinary worldly things or events related to spiritual delight?

Sri Chinmoy: Dearest child, one can never experience delight from ordinary worldly things or events. Spiritual delight is something that we eventually achieve or grow into on the strength of our highest aspiration and deepest dedication. What one experiences from ordinary worldly things is transitory pleasure or, on rare occasions, a kind of incomplete or human joy. Complete joy is not to be found in material things. Why? Material things are not consciously and constantly aspiring to become divine and perfect.

Question: Is delight experienced automatically when one has reached a certain degree of refinement or expansion of consciousness, or a certain height of consciousness? If not, what is it that precipitates this state of delight?

Sri Chinmoy: No matter what degree of refinement we have achieved, we cannot experience delight in its pristine beauty and immortality. It is through expanding and heightening our consciousness that we experience delight. We can precipitate the experience of delight only by increasing our unconditional self-giving and our conscious feeling that the Supreme loves us infinitely more than we love ourselves.

"Delight"

I sighed and wailed with frustration-night,
And then I sailed with Salvation-Light,
And now I sing with Perfection-Height:
Delight, delight, a flood of delight.

Questions on delight: Montreal Centre (Canada)

Question: What is the difference between ecstasy, bliss and delight?

Sri Chinmoy: Ecstasy is something which we usually feel in our higher emotional or illumined vital. Bliss is something we feel in our aspiring, devoted heart. We also feel Bliss in the searching mind. Delight is something we feel from the soles of our feet to the crown of our head: it is the entire being that enjoys delight. Delight we feel throughout the body when we are spiritually dedicated, totally dedicated, and when we listen unconditionally to the dictates of the Supreme.

Again, when we speak of the highest kind of delight, the supreme Delight, we mean something more. Here we can say, along with the Vedic seers: “From Delight we came into existence. In Delight we grow. At the end of our journey’s close, into Delight we retire.”

Question: What is the difference between joy, happiness and delight?

Sri Chinmoy: Joy and happiness are something ordinary in comparison to delight. Joy is limited, happiness is limited. We can experience them even in our ordinary unaspiring life. But delight we experience only when we lead an aspiring life. Only in the life of aspiration can we get delight. So you can say that joy is something earthly and delight is something Heavenly.

Question: What is the relationship between light and delight?

Sri Chinmoy: Light and delight are inseparable. Both embody the Truth, but each contains particular aspects of the Truth which we can invoke. When we invoke light, we feel that our life of ignorance, which has lasted for millennia, will be removed; we try to illumine our life of darkness. When we invoke delight, we feel that our suffering of millennia will be removed; we try to transform our pangs and suffering into delight.

Question: In what way can delight be manifested?

Sri Chinmoy: Delight can be manifested on earth in various ways. It can be manifested as something that is eternal and immortal. Again, it can be manifested as something which pulls up our life of impurity and obscurity and transforms our ignorance.

Question: Does delight come from Reality's external freedom?

Sri Chinmoy: Delight does not come from Reality’s external freedom. Delight does not manifest in and through the external life, the extroverted life. Delight comes only from the silence of Reality’s inner, inseparable love.

Question: What is real delight, where can it be found and how does one apply it to everyday living?

Sri Chinmoy: What is real delight? Real delight is our constant communion with God. Where can it be found? It can be found only in our constant search for God and in our self-giving to God. How can we apply it to everyday living? We can apply this delight to everyday living if we feel that delight is the only fruit that can nourish us, strengthen us and immortalise us.

Question: When people experience delight, do they experience it in the same way or is it an individual experience for each?

Sri Chinmoy: People experience delight in different ways according to their power of receptivity. If different individuals have the same level of consciousness, they will experience delight in the same way and with the same intensity. Again, seekers who are not on the same plane of consciousness will experience delight in different ways. For example, when you see something from the top of a tree, you see it in one way. When you climb down to the middle of the trunk, you see the same thing in a different way. And when you stand at the foot of the tree, you may see it in still a different way. But again, if you have wide vision, very powerful vision, then from the top of the tree, from the middle of the tree and from the foot of a tree you will see a thing in the same way. This is also true of experiencing delight.

Question: With the power of aspiration, can one consciously enter into Sat-Chit-Ananda and bring down delight into the mind, vital and physical?

Sri Chinmoy: With the power of aspiration one can consciously enter into Sat-Chit-Ananda and bring down delight into the mind, vital and physical, provided one cares constantly for his Source. He has to feel that his Source is all he needs, he does not need anything else. He wants only the Source and nothing less.

We all know how affectionate our parents can be to us. When we are children, we feel our very existence depends on their kindness, their affection, their loving words, their smile. Always the child runs back to the source, the father and mother. Here our Source is Sat-Chit-Ananda. If we want to go back to our Source with loving joy, loving adoration for the Supreme, then without fail we can bring down the delight that we experience. When we either go deep within or climb high, higher, highest, we can bring down Peace, Light and Bliss and change the mental world in us, the vital world in us and the physical world in us.

Question: Sometimes just after delight descends, giddiness, forced gaiety or fear of science steal our delight. What can we do about this?

Sri Chinmoy: Here we have to be sincere. Sometimes it is not actually delight that descends; it is only a kind of pleasure that enters into the seeker from the vital world which he mistakes for delight. This so-called delight naturally cannot and does not last for a long time. The real delight within us knows perfectly well that this is a false delight that is trying to please and satisfy the human in the aspirant, so the real delight comes and pushes aside the false delight. Now, the seeker may have identified himself to such an extent with the first kind of delight that when it leaves him, he feels sad and miserable. When this pleasure goes away, a kind of frustration comes, and in frustration, dissatisfaction looms large.

Question: How can we expand our receptivity so that we can experience delight more constantly?

Sri Chinmoy: There is only one way to expand our receptivity and that is through our constant remembrance of what we were, what we are and what we can be. We were animals. We are human beings trying to become divine and perfect. We will, by the Grace of the Absolute Supreme, eventually become divine, perfect and immortal. If we remember this, then automatically we expand our receptivity. Then we experience delight in abundant and boundless measure.

Question: We have all felt delight when we meditate with you. What is the best way for us to spread delight to others around us?

Sri Chinmoy: The best way is through inner communication. If you have meditated with me and you have achieved and received some delight, then afterwards if you see someone, do not talk to him about it. If you tell him about this divine quality, his mind will come forward and you will only be rejected. Also, if you talk about it, your own mind may lose its divinity because the mind is constantly suspecting. Only with the greatest difficulty can we illumine the mind. So please concentrate on the other person’s heart and feel that inside his heart is a big hole or that his heart itself is a hole. Try to put the delight and the other divine qualities that you have received from the Supreme in me into the hearts of those who are around you. Try to spread delight inwardly, in silence. If you do it in silence, it will be most effective.

Question: Is it possible for man to experience constant delight or is delight only a passing experience?

Sri Chinmoy: It is quite possible for an advanced seeker or a great spiritual Master to experience constant delight in the inner world. For the beginner, however, it is only a passing experience. But one does not remain a beginner forever. A child grows up and, as a grown-up, he acts the way his father or his mother does. In the same way, it is quite possible that there will come a time when one can experience delight constantly. Again, if one is not sincere enough, devoted enough or spiritual enough, naturally delight will always remain a passing experience.

Each day

If I live in the heart-cry
And soul-smile,
Each day
Is a God-ordained task,
Each day
Is a God-given opportunity,
Each day
Is a God-fulfilling reality.

Questions on opportunity: Orange County Meditation Group (California)

Question: When the aspirant decides to follow a spiritual path, is this human opportunity, divine opportunity, or both?

Sri Chinmoy: When the aspirant decides to follow a spiritual path, it is not a human opportunity; it is a divine opportunity. More than that, it is a supreme opportunity. Human opportunity once lost is lost forever. Divine opportunity comes and goes and goes and comes. The supreme opportunity has the magnetic pull to lift the seeker to the highest plane of consciousness.

Question: Are there always opportunities in life for spiritual development?

Sri Chinmoy: Yes, there are always opportunities in life for spiritual development, but if we avail ourselves of the opportunities each time they knock at our door, we can realise and manifest the Highest sooner than otherwise. Further, if we take each experience as a golden opportunity, we can become the colossal pride of our Pilot Supreme.

Questions on opportunity: Phoenix Centre (Arizona)

Question: Why do we fail to take advantage of opportunities?

Sri Chinmoy: We fail to take advantage of opportunities because of our self-indulgence and self-importance, our self-rejection and self-dejection.

Question: How can we be aware of the opportunities that God gives us?

Sri Chinmoy: We can be aware of the opportunities that God gives us by becoming aware of the fact that each opportunity is a conscious help to raise our consciousness and also to bring us closer to our supreme Reality, God.

Question: How can we better realise our divine opportunity in a situation where we are working with very unaspiring people?

Sri Chinmoy: We can realise our divine opportunity even when we are working with very unaspiring people by becoming full of compassion and feeling that if we exercise our compassion-power, then the divine within us will be more pleased with us and make us strong. Then we will be unaffected by unaspiring people and can run fastest towards our goal.

Question: How can we become more aware of the God-given opportunities at each moment?

Sri Chinmoy: We can become aware of the God-given opportunities at each moment by discovering the fact that each moment is a golden opportunity to realise God, to reveal God and to manifest God.

Question: Is opportunity self-made or predestined by our personal karma? Is it possible to increase our opportunity through surrender?

Sri Chinmoy: Yes, opportunity can be self-made and opportunity can be predestined, but self-made opportunity does not have abiding life in it, whereas when we get opportunity from the Grace of God, this opportunity has an everlasting life and an ever-illumining capacity.

Yes, it is quite possible to increase one’s opportunity through surrender-power.

Question: With every opportunity God gives us, how can we increase our capacity to serve Him devotedly and with ever-increasing gratitude?

Sri Chinmoy: We can increase our capacity to serve Him devotedly and with ever-increasing gratitude if we can convince ourselves that we can exist on earth without air, water, food — we can exist without everything else — but not without God, even for a fleeting second.

Not really lost

Lost opportunities
Are not really lost.
Just dive deep within.
You can and shall discover them
Once again.

Lost God is not really lost.
Just try to go beyond the domain
Of your doubt-bound head.
You can and shall discover God
Once again.

Questions on opportunity: Victoria Centre (Canada)

Question: How can I increase my awareness of the opportunities presented to me?

Sri Chinmoy: You can increase your awareness of the opportunities presented to you, provided you feel that each opportunity is an achievement of a new dawn, a new realisation and a new perfection.

Question: What opportunity does the Divine have to manifest His Will upon earth?

Sri Chinmoy: In the case of the Divine it is not opportunity that determines His manifestation on earth. It is His transcendental Will that manifests itself whenever or wherever it wants to.

Question: How can I see my earthly role as wife and mother as a golden opportunity to serve God and man?

Sri Chinmoy: You can see your earthly role as wife and mother as a golden opportunity to serve God and man if you feel that in serving them you are fulfilling your higher Self, your larger Self and your more illumining Self.

Question: Opportunity seems to be a gift, a grace. Are there times when opportunity can be an obstacle?

Sri Chinmoy: Yes, opportunity is a gift: it is a grace. But this opportunity can be a real obstacle if it is misused badly. To have money, to have material wealth, is to have a great opportunity in serving the poor. But if you misuse the money-power, the opportunity you had now stands as an obstacle to your realisation of Truth and Light. Therefore, you must always try to use all your opportunities devotedly and wisely.

Question: Is every opportunity a good opportunity where spirituality is concerned?

Sri Chinmoy: If it is a matter of aspiration and dedication in a seeker’s life, then every opportunity is undoubtedly a good opportunity.

Question: Does divine opportunity come more than once in one lifetime?

Sri Chinmoy: Divine opportunity comes many times in our life. If we avail ourselves of each opportunity, then we run the fastest towards our destined goal.

Questions on opportunity: Santa Barbara Centre (California)

Question: How can I best prepare myself for daily opportunities to please the Supreme?

Sri Chinmoy: You can prepare yourself for daily opportunities to please the Supreme by convincing your mind that you are a beautiful rose that is meant to be placed at the Feet of the Supreme for His own satisfaction and for His own manifestation.

Question: What is the most significant opportunity in an aspirant's life?

Sri Chinmoy: The most significant opportunity in an aspirant’s life is to become one with one’s Master’s divine Will, so that one can expedite God’s Hour in one’s life. You and your husband are trying sincerely and devotedly. I assure you that you two shall succeed.

Questions on opportunity: Eugene Centre (Oregon)

Question: Does God offer us opportunity at every moment to claim Him as our own?

Sri Chinmoy: Yes, God offers us opportunity at every moment to claim Him as our very own. We claim God by identifying ourselves with Him and by offering ourselves at His Feet for His use. God is our life’s eternal Pilot; we shall be God’s Dream-Boat.

Question: Is opportunity a divine Grace?

Sri Chinmoy: Yes, opportunity is a divine Grace. It is here that everything begins and it is here that everything has a glorious, undying end.

Question: I waited for the opportunity to serve my Lord. Does He compassionately wait for me to seize each divinely golden opportunity-second?

Sri Chinmoy: Yes, you waited for the opportunity to serve your Lord. He waited for you compassionately to seize each divine opportunity-second. Both of you shall find fulfilment in each other.

Questions on time: Kansas City Centre (Missouri)

No time

I love and love;
No time to hate!

I build and build;
No time to break!

I promise and promise;
No time to withdraw!

I become and become;
No time to see!

I am and am;
No time to dream!

Question: Does a given moment in time occur more than once?

Sri Chinmoy: In the earthbound time a given moment does not occur more than once. But in Heaven-free consciousness a given moment can repeatedly occur.

Question: Can one's body-consciousness travel forward or backward in time?

Sri Chinmoy: If one is a sincere seeker, then his body-consciousness will always travel forward in time. If he is insincere, his body-consciousness may travel backward.

Question: In our path what spiritual practice will give us the most progress in the shortest time?

Sri Chinmoy: In our path unconditional surrender will give us the most satisfactory progress in the shortest time.

Question: What is time?

Sri Chinmoy: Time is God-Vision in God’s ever-illumining and ever-fulfilling manifestation.

Question: Is time matter or energy?

Sri Chinmoy: Time is both matter and energy. Again, it is beyond both matter and energy. When we aspire, time is nothing short of energy. When we do not aspire, time is nothing other than matter. And when we realise God, time is beyond both matter and energy.

Questions on time: Toledo Centre (Ohio)

Question: Is time ever wasted in the spiritual life? Is every act, small or large, significant, then?

Sri Chinmoy: Yes, time can be wasted in the spiritual life. Every act, small or large, not only can be, but is, significant, for each action is either taking us nearer to God or taking us farther from God.

Question: Guru, how can we use time wisely to please the Supreme in this lifetime?

Sri Chinmoy: You can utilise time most wisely to please the Supreme in your lifetime by making yourself feel consciously and constantly that you are only of Him and for Him.

Never stay away

O devouring Time,
For God’s sake,
Stay away.

O nourishing Time,
For God’s sake,
Come and shake hands with me.

O illumining Time,
For God’s sake,
Just once embrace me.

O fulfilling Time,
For God’s sake, for your sake, for my sake,
Never stay away.

Questions on time: St. Louis Centre (Missouri)

Question: Did God create time and have His own use for it, or is it only man's invention and perception?

Sri Chinmoy: God created time to fulfil Himself. Time is not man’s invention and perception.

Question: What determines the length of time between a soul's earthly incarnations?

Sri Chinmoy: God’s compassionate Will and compassionate Wisdom determine the length of time between a soul’s earthly incarnations.

Question: Is the beginning of a spiritual age, such as the Aquarian Age, a significant time of opportunity for the seeker?

Sri Chinmoy: Yes, the beginning of a spiritual age is a most significant time for a seeker to realise the highest Truth, to manifest the highest Truth and to become the highest Truth.

Time

O seeker,
You are the user of Time.

O meditator,
You are the seer of Time.

O lover,
You are the fulfiller of Time.

O God,
You are the Player of Time.

Questions on time: Washington, D.C. Centre

Question: Do past, present and future occur simultaneously, or do they progress linearly?

Sri Chinmoy: In the outer world of sound they progress linearly. But the past, the present and the future occur simultaneously in the inner world of Silence. In the inner world of Silence they occur simultaneously because God the Vision and God the Reality are one.

Question: Is there a point of transcendence where time ceases to exist?

Sri Chinmoy: Yes, earthbound time ceases to exist when a seeker becomes the song of Eternity’s self-transcendence. But Heaven-free time never ceases to exist, for its existence and God’s existence are at once birthless and deathless.

Question: What is the inner relationship between time and soul?

Sri Chinmoy: Time is the seed; soul is the plant, tree, flower and fruit. Time is; soul becomes and transcends.

Question: As a spiritual seeker, should I regard time as my friend or as my enemy?

Sri Chinmoy: As a spiritual seeker, you should always regard time as a great friend of yours and always try to be worthy of your friendship with time. If you appreciate, admire and adore the illumining and perfecting capacity that time has to inspire you constantly, to increase your aspiration-flames and brighten your surrender-light, then you will run the fastest towards the ultimate Goal.

Question: What use is time to the unaspiring man, seeker, advanced seeker and God-realised man?

Sri Chinmoy: To the unaspiring man time is a plaything; to the seeker it is something that he counts upon; to the advanced seeker it is something that he longs to transcend; and to a God-realised man time is something he uses to manifest God in God’s own Way.

Question: I have a hard time being punctual. Is it so important to be punctual as long as things get done?

Sri Chinmoy: I am sorry that you find it difficult to be punctual. Punctuality in the spiritual life is of paramount importance. When God knocks at your door at a fixed hour, if you don’t respond to Him, you will not be able to run the fastest and dive the deepest and fly the highest at His Choice Hour. Naturally the sincere seeker in you will feel miserable that you have not pleased God at the appointed hour. Regularity is good; punctuality is far better. Along with regularity and punctuality, if there is aspiration, then that is by far the best.

Questions on time: Milwaukee Centre (Wisconsin)

Question: Is time reality or illusion?

Sri Chinmoy: When we feed the ignorance and the unreal in us it is nothing but illusion. But when we feed the divine in us, the Supreme in us, with our heart’s ever-mounting cry, then time is real, absolutely real.

Question: How does time exist in relation to AUM?

Sri Chinmoy: AUM is God the Creator, God the Preserver and God the Transformer. God the Creator embodies time; God the Preserver reveals time; God the Transformer manifests time.

Editor's preface to the first edition

These questions were asked of Sri Chinmoy by some of his disciples at Centres in the United States and Canada. Sri Chinmoy has succeeded not only in answering the questions with his glowing heart and glorious soul but also in inspiring his devoted children to run the fastest towards their Goal, the Supreme.