Experiences in London

[Guest guest]

Let me share my experience of conducting a school assembly at

a Junior School in London this morning. There were about 300 children

present, aged 4 to 8. Most were Christian, some Hindus and from

other faiths.

 

The story I told was entitled, 'Why can't we see God?'.

I used the story of Jatila.

 

These assemblies with the very young go down extremely well

with the children as well as with all the teachers present. Very quickly,

the children catch on that the story is going to be humorous.

Then there is no stopping them. They have decided to laugh

at every sentence. The 'understanding of the story' part can wait!! : )

Who cares about that anyway? 'Life as it is, is highly amusing

and delightful, let us just express that'........that is the motto they live

by -- and that is a very infectious attitude.

The adults too, start laughing for no reason.

 

Who needs reason to laugh?........ These very young ones live as

guileless spirits .... divinity manifested.

 

Sri Ramakrishna used to say that 'the God-realised'

sometimes adopt the attitude of a five year old. No wonder

- one can see why.

 

Of course, one has to present a serious side of the story (if not

for the children then for the teachers present). I conclude by saying

that unless, we love God more than our fathers and mothers and

friends and 'Barbie dolls' and 'Action man' put together.... we cannot

see God.

 

" You may wonder why daddy's and 'mummies cannot see God? " I ask....

" They don't play with Barbie dolls and Action man? " , and I explain,

" Well they have bigger toys they love more than God like,

shinny cars and big houses and jewellery and such. "

 

" If you really love God he will come and play with you as Jatila

discovered. He will become what you want him to become - Krishna,

or Rama or Mother goddess.... you decide how you want to see God,

he will become that and come and play with you. All religions are

different ways people like to think of and find this same God "

 

jay

[Guest guest]

Charming, Jay, just lovely.

Yogeshananda

[Guest guest]

Ramakrishna, Swami Yogeshananda <yogeshananda@v...> wrote:

> Charming, Jay, just lovely.

> Yogeshananda

 

Namaste,

 

True 'edu-tainment'!

 

For more stories and other goodies, please do visit Swamiji's

own web-site at:

 

http://www.vedanta-atlanta.org/index.html

 

 

Regards,

 

Sunder