DROP DEBATE & CONFLICT | ANANDAMAYI MA

MATRI VANI | VOL II | PART V | 327 | ANANDAMAYI MA

|| < : DROP DEBATE & CONFLICT : > ||

In response to someone's remarks and questions , Mataji gave the following rules for the behavior of the residents of the Ashram :

01 . When elders or superiors talk , do not interrupt by commenting on what is spoken about .

You may give your opinion only if you are asked .

If you have anything to say on the matter , you may afterwards in private tell the elder :

" In connection with what was said , such and such thoughts have occurred to me " .

02 . When an elder or superior is conver­sing with someone , one should not disturb by saying something or by chatting .

If one has something important to say , one may do so after the elder has stopped talking .

03 . When conversing with one's companions one should neither make fun of anyone nor pass critical remarks about others .

04 . With antagonism at the back of one's mind , one should not talk about anyone in either praise or blame .

05 . Do not judge your companions or discuss them with others .

06 . If someone insults or abuses you or accuses you unjustly , think :

" GOD , You have in this manner given me a blow to teach me a lesson . Be pleased with me again ! "

Do not hate the one who has dealt the blow .

07 . Do not feel or speak unkindly about anyone .

08 . Be truthful in speech and action .

09 . Speak little and only when necessary .

10 . Be always cheerful .

11 . Remain calm , firm , serene and serious .

12 . Talk to everyone with calmness , sere­nity , steadiness and equal consideration .

13 . Cherish only what pertains to the supreme quest — Truth .

14 . Your conduct must be gentle and exemplary .

15 . Be honest and frank in what you say .

16 . The search after Truth must continue at every moment .

When by the accumulated force of the sustained practice of discrimina­tion between the Real and the unreal , of japa , meditation , ceremonial worship , the study of scriptures , singing the praises of GOD —

whichever of these be the main line of approach in particular —

one becomes engrossed in the supreme quest , then one cannot remain without the remembrance of GOD ; and consequently , foolishness , wrong knowledge and suffering are removed .

To be a human being means to aspire to GOD-REALIZATION . The Calling is to find GOD .