The Mystery of the Moment

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The Vedanta Kesari, p. 46-49, February 2007

Living In Time

'Time" is our customary home. We are born in time, live in time and pass out in time. Throughout our life, we face time in various ways. There are good times and there are bad times. At times, we run short of time, and rush to meet the deadline—to catch a train, or submit an application, or complete a project, or finish an examination. Or, at other times, we wish we had something more meaningful to do than to merely 'kill time." Time, as long as we live, is with us, always.

We also know the dynamics of time-force. Time plays a pivotal role in our life. There are specific times to do certain things. A farmer, for instance, knows what the right time is to sow the seeds, and when to start and stop irrigation. He also knows the right time for reaping the harvest. A black- smith knows when to strike the heated iron to give it the desired shape. A railway guard knows when to show the signal and how important it is to do so. Even a housewife knows when to remove the rice pot from the oven and when to open its lid. Every wise person has knowledge of how time functions in our lives and how we must learn to function according to it.

Time, with all its many-sided influence and power, makes and unmakes all our activities. Life, generally speaking, is centred in time. As in the case of all other activities of life, time plays a vital role in spiritual matters as well. Much before one tries to live a spiritual life, a time must come for living it. If one"s time has not come, no amount of advice and attempt to live a higher life is of much value.

Sri Ramakrishna would cite the case of an egg being hatched. He said, '…But you see, the mother bird doesn"t break the shell until the chick inside the egg is matured. The egg is hatched in the fullness of time. It is necessary to practise some spiritual discipline. The guru no doubt does everything for the disciple; but at the end he makes the disciple work a little himself. When cutting down a big tree, a man cuts almost through the trunk; then he stands aside for a moment, and the tree falls down with a crash." Breaking up the egg shell indicates the right state when the chick should emerge out of its protective environment. Before the right time arrives, the shell should not be broken. It might prove fatal.

A fascinating story is told about the importance of egg-shell. A little boy once sat reading his book near the window when his eyes fell upon a struggling caterpillar trying to emerge from its cocoon. It was a scene of great effort. The protruding butterfly jostled, pushed and made all possible attempts to come out. Seeing this, the boy"s heart melted. He leaned forward, took the struggling butterfly in his hands and gently pulled it out from its cocoon. But alas, contrary to his expectations, the butterfly could not fly. It was so very weak. It fluttered its wings, but could not take off. He waited but the butterfly could not fly. Watching all this from a distance was the boy"s uncle. He came nearer and addressing the boy, said, 'Look, by making the butterfly come out of its cocoon before its right time, you have nearly killed it. It is nature"s plan that the butterfly should struggle to come out. Through its struggle, its pushing forward and backward, its wings are developed and become strong enough for flying. This butterfly will not be able to fly."

About the author

Swami Atmashraddananda

Swami Atmashraddhananda is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order and editor of The Vedanta Kesari from the year 2004 .