This happened about 14 years ago. I was in high school. Almost all weekends were spent at Chinmaya Mission attending the weekly study classes of Chinmaya Yuva Kendra or organising some camp, talk or some similar program. It was a regular feature that when some important event happened the Mission members and teachers at the Vidyalaya pitched in to help us out with arrangements. During one such program, in the midst of the preparation one of the teachers paused and said in a voice filled with gratitude, “Some of us have never even met Gurudev. Still when you see the impact he is continuing to have on our lives, on individuals who have known him only through his texts and speeches, it is almost unthinkable.” I may not have fully realised the import of that comment then. But over the years I’ve realise how true it is.
When I think back on what Gurudev means to me and how he has impacted me all I can see is his grace and love that nourished me when I needed to grow, protected me when I was vulnerable, and motivated me to get back up and prepare for one more round when I was down and out. Of course, there were times when I didn’t connect to the teachings for a long time. But each time I needed help I could see HIS grace and love flow to me from the world around me.
On the Mahasamadhi day of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, my heart fills with gratitude for having the opportunity to listen to HIS teachings which helped me shape who I am today. As I listened to some of his talks again today, I was left with only one prayer in mind – I seek the grace and blessings to be a student worthy of such a great master.
I can. I will. I must.
Unto#UntoHimMyBest
