समय के समक्ष
In the Presence of Time
~ Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
I am currently visiting Gurudev Siddha Peeth with my eight-year-old son. After chanting our morning mantras and before starting seva, we contemplate Gurumayi’s daily teaching from “In the Presence of Time.” Yesterday, when we were reflecting on “The role of time,” my son shared the story of “The Cricket and the Ants.” He explained that time plays a very important role in our lives, and that we should not waste our time like the cricket does. Instead, we should be doing sadhana like ants do their work—religiously.
It was a big reminder for me to not idle away my time in futile activities but to do my sadhana consistently.
Noida, India
My experience of today’s teaching “The role of time” unfolded in a unique manner for me. Throughout the day, I was involved in communications—either in the course of offering seva or at my work—where the focus was about bringing clarity to the issue of roles. I was amazed to see how Gurumayi’s teaching had given me a hint about this at the beginning of the day.
As I contemplated this teaching further, I asked myself what “the role of time” is in my life. The answer I arrived at was that it is my role to bring the best version of myself to everything I do, whether it is serving the Siddha Yoga mission or carrying out the responsibilities of my personal life. This perspective infused a fresh energy into the activities I did throughout the day. I also experienced a deep sense of contentment at having diligently performed each role that was required of me at every hour. I am thankful to Gurumayi for revealing these beautiful dimensions of time.
Pune, India
As I contemplate “The role of time,” I discover one role that time plays in my life is as an alchemist—from the alchemy that occurs in a raw eggplant placed in the oven for an exact amount of time and then mashed into a baba ghanoush dish, to the alchemy arising within me when I meditate for a period of time, to the alchemical process that transforms a manuscript I write in the interval of time between a first and second draft.
I also see the “the role of time” as a teacher. Time teaches me patience and commitment, and connects me to the inner Self, the source of creativity and wisdom.
And I also see “the role of time” as an usher. My father’s last words to me were to have patience and courage. For this to happen, the role that time had to assume was to usher me onto the Siddha Yoga path, where over time, with patience and courage, I was alchemized into a brighter and happier person.
California, United States
As I have been contemplating this teaching, I have begun to see so clearly how crucial “the role of time” really is.
After all, every living thing needs time to develop. It takes time to fully understand something. Truly imbibing the Siddha Yoga teachings requires time. As such, time is one of the essential ingredients in my sadhana. I need time in order to reach the goal of my spiritual path.
This teaching also has given me a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, the virtue of patience. I can see that as I practice patience, giving something the space to develop in its own time and at its own pace, I am not only respecting it, but I’m also respecting time itself.
Coburg, Australia