Refined Ripples

 

We all know Swami Vivekananda, who was an Indian Hindu monk and a chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna during the 19th century. Vivekananda wanted to carry his master's message to the west after his master attended his samadhi which he did and thus became a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Yoga and Vedanta and was credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of the major World religion.

Before He started his journey, he wanted to seek permission from Sarada Devi who was the wife of Ramakrishna. Sarada devi was busy cooking in the kitchen and responded to Vivekananda without looking back at him by telling him to bring a knife to her. Vivekananda brought the knife to her and Sarada devi gave him permission. Before leaving Vivekananda asked her why she required the knife as he could not see any vegetables to cut as all were already being boiled in the pot. Sarada devi replied it was not about the knife but the way he brought the knife to her. This message is about the power of gentleness of Swami Vivekananda. 

To be spiritual is always understood as to be gentle but unfortunately being gentle is always taken as being weak. The weaks are gentle not by choice but they are incapable of making a strong imprint on others. Gentleness is of value only when it is by choice. You and your character are capable of being violent but you choose to be gentle. That is of great value. You are incapable of violence and you choose to be gentle. That is not of great value because that is coming from a certain incapability. 'Gentleness is weakness' is a common misconception and true gentleness is actually the opposite. It requires great strength and self-control. We must not see ourselves as better than someone else in order to be gentle but help others even who have done wrong.

God is gentle with us. He continues to love us even when we are wrong. Without keeping record of our wrongs he forgives us if we come to him, pray to him from heart. The way we interact with others , the way our thinking processes shows the gentleness of our heart. Gentleness is similar to kindness and involves refining of our thoughts and cultivating a softness towards other people. We have to be compassionate towards the struggles and shortcomings of others. Maintaining a gentle attitude when it is difficult is actually a strength. We must exhibit gentleness in this harsh world and refine the ripples of our life patterns in good ways.

                     - Swagato Chatterjee