A Monk of the Ramakrishna Mission was being interviewed by a journalist from New York. The journalist started interviewing the Monk as planned earlier.
Journalist. "Sir, in your last lecture, you told us about "Contact" and "Connection". It's really confusing. Can you explain?"
The Monk smiled and apparently deviating from the question, asked the journalist. "Are you from New York?" Journalist. "Yeah....." Monk. "Who are there at home?"
The journalist felt that the Monk was trying to avoid answering his question since this was a very personal and unwarranted question. Yet the journalist said, "Mother had expired. Father is there. Three brothers and one sister. All married...."
The Monk, with a smile on his face, asked again, "Do you talk to your father?" The journalist looked visibly annoyed.....The Monk. "When did you talk to him last?" The journalist, suppressing his annoyance said, "Maybe a month ago".
The Monk, "Do you brothers and sisters meet often? When did you meet last as a family gathering?" At this point, sweat appeared on the forehead of the journalist.
It seemed that the Monk was interviewing the journalist.
With a sigh, the journalist said, "We met last at Christmas two years ago". The Monk. "How many days did you all stay together?" The journalist (Wiping the sweat on his brow) said, "Three days...."
The Monk. "How much time did you spend with your father, sitting right beside him?" The journalist looking perplexed and embarrassed, started scribbling something a paper.....
The Monk. "Did you have breakfast, lunch or dinner together? Did you ask how he was? Did you ask how his days are passing after your mother's death?" Drops of tears started to flow from the eyes of the journalist.
The Monk held the hand of the journalist and said, "Don't be embarrassed, upset or sad. I'm sorry if I have hurt you unknowingly....But this is basically the answer to your question about "Contact" and "Connection". You have 'Contact' with your father but you don't have "Connection" with him. You are not connected to him. Connection is between heart and heart....
Sitting together, sharing meals and caring for each other, touching, shaking hands, having eye contact, spending some time together...All your brothers and sisters have 'Contact' but no 'Connection' with each other......"
The journalist wiped his eyes and said, "Thanks for teaching me a fine and unforgettable lesson".
This is the reality today. Whether at home or in the society, everybody has lots of contacts but there is no connection. Everybody is busy in his or her own world.....
Let us not maintain just "Contacts" but let us remain "Connected". Caring, Sharing and Spending time with all our dear ones.
The Monk was none other than Swami Vivekananda.
Note. From What'sApp.
Tailpiece.
My day had begun at 5, this morning and I'd woken up Ramakrishnan and we could reach the path lab, nearby, to give my blood samples. The same was repeated after breakfast. Prabha's chauffeur driven car had got us at Shenoy Care by a half past 10. The registration formalities, the junior doctor, Vandana's preparation of the case, based on the lab reports, to give her senior the complete picture. Incidentally, both of them did see the selfie taken by Lekha when her left Parotid gland was swollen.
The doctor was pretty satisfied with Lekha's medical condition and after taking the next appointment and collecting the medicines, we'd set off for home by a half past 2. Shaan, the chauffeur - a good fellow - was sent back with the car. Had a very quick lunch.
Ramakrishnan and I, after collecting my blood report had rushed to the Dibatologist. I've put myself under his care and many connected tests were taken. The next review would be on 27 Aug.
We took leave of Ramakrishnan and Gouri, to head for Rema-Padmakumar's new abode at Thrippunithura. We were slated to spend this evening there! A nice, quiet evening!! But Rema had a severe head ache and it did dampen our spirits!!!
Journalist. "Sir, in your last lecture, you told us about "Contact" and "Connection". It's really confusing. Can you explain?"
The Monk smiled and apparently deviating from the question, asked the journalist. "Are you from New York?" Journalist. "Yeah....." Monk. "Who are there at home?"
The journalist felt that the Monk was trying to avoid answering his question since this was a very personal and unwarranted question. Yet the journalist said, "Mother had expired. Father is there. Three brothers and one sister. All married...."
The Monk, with a smile on his face, asked again, "Do you talk to your father?" The journalist looked visibly annoyed.....The Monk. "When did you talk to him last?" The journalist, suppressing his annoyance said, "Maybe a month ago".
The Monk, "Do you brothers and sisters meet often? When did you meet last as a family gathering?" At this point, sweat appeared on the forehead of the journalist.
It seemed that the Monk was interviewing the journalist.
With a sigh, the journalist said, "We met last at Christmas two years ago". The Monk. "How many days did you all stay together?" The journalist (Wiping the sweat on his brow) said, "Three days...."
The Monk. "How much time did you spend with your father, sitting right beside him?" The journalist looking perplexed and embarrassed, started scribbling something a paper.....
The Monk. "Did you have breakfast, lunch or dinner together? Did you ask how he was? Did you ask how his days are passing after your mother's death?" Drops of tears started to flow from the eyes of the journalist.
The Monk held the hand of the journalist and said, "Don't be embarrassed, upset or sad. I'm sorry if I have hurt you unknowingly....But this is basically the answer to your question about "Contact" and "Connection". You have 'Contact' with your father but you don't have "Connection" with him. You are not connected to him. Connection is between heart and heart....
Sitting together, sharing meals and caring for each other, touching, shaking hands, having eye contact, spending some time together...All your brothers and sisters have 'Contact' but no 'Connection' with each other......"
The journalist wiped his eyes and said, "Thanks for teaching me a fine and unforgettable lesson".
This is the reality today. Whether at home or in the society, everybody has lots of contacts but there is no connection. Everybody is busy in his or her own world.....
Let us not maintain just "Contacts" but let us remain "Connected". Caring, Sharing and Spending time with all our dear ones.
The Monk was none other than Swami Vivekananda.
Note. From What'sApp.
Tailpiece.
My day had begun at 5, this morning and I'd woken up Ramakrishnan and we could reach the path lab, nearby, to give my blood samples. The same was repeated after breakfast. Prabha's chauffeur driven car had got us at Shenoy Care by a half past 10. The registration formalities, the junior doctor, Vandana's preparation of the case, based on the lab reports, to give her senior the complete picture. Incidentally, both of them did see the selfie taken by Lekha when her left Parotid gland was swollen.
The doctor was pretty satisfied with Lekha's medical condition and after taking the next appointment and collecting the medicines, we'd set off for home by a half past 2. Shaan, the chauffeur - a good fellow - was sent back with the car. Had a very quick lunch.
Ramakrishnan and I, after collecting my blood report had rushed to the Dibatologist. I've put myself under his care and many connected tests were taken. The next review would be on 27 Aug.
We took leave of Ramakrishnan and Gouri, to head for Rema-Padmakumar's new abode at Thrippunithura. We were slated to spend this evening there! A nice, quiet evening!! But Rema had a severe head ache and it did dampen our spirits!!!
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