When Mr Time strikes

At one monastery Richard (now Radhanath Swami) and Gary saw the monks meditate in rooms filled with human skulls and skeletons piled high along the walls. The monks reflected on the impermanence of this body while living with skeletal bones of their predecessors. Richard was struck by a sign in the Church that read, “As you are now we used to be, and as we are you will be.” Later at Pompeii, the harsh reality of the transient nature of this world dawned on Richard. He thought of the bubonic plague that had ravaged Europe, and the atom bomb that had leveled Hiroshima and the earthquakes and fires that had destroyed major cities of the world over the last two thousand years. He realized that in this world disaster can come upon anyone at any moment. We shouldn’t put off seeking the priceless jewel of enlightenment for anything material, for the powers of nature will eventually take away everything from us.

Radhanath Swami gives an example we can relate to; take a glass filled with a fizzy drink. What do you see on the surface? Lot of small bubbles that fizzle out in a few seconds. Our life is as brief as those bubbles. I have heard Radhanath Swami often quote an Indian poet, Govinda dasa who has said that our life in this world is as temporary and insignificant as a bubble of water in a lotus leaf petal. Radhanath Swami implores us not to aspire for a permanent settlement in this temporary world. “All advancement in technology and attempt to prolong life in this world is akin to an attempt to prolong life of a bubble in a glass of sprite”, says Radhanath Swami, “when bored we want to kill time but no one can do so. It’s Mr. Time who kills all without discrimination.”

I once saw Radhanath Swami speak to children aged 8- 13. He was speaking to them about the sacrifices of his guru, Srila Prabhupada, who had travelled to America at the age of seventy to serve the order of his guru. Radhanath Swami asked the kids, “Do you know what it is to travel all over the world at the age of seventy? Do you know what it is to be seventy years of age?” the kids looked on nonplussed. After a long pause, Radhanath Swami spoke gravely, “you’ll never realize now what it’s like to be seventy years of age. But very soon…” Radhanath Swami’s gravity now turned to a smile and then he laughed as he snapped his fingers, “very soon you will all realize what it is to be seventy years old”. I remember feeling scared on hearing this as Radhanath Swami had graphically pointed out how life in this word is transitory.

Although Mr. Time destroys everything, Radhanath Swami gives us hope. Quoting Vedic scriptures, Radhanath Swami assures that one who practices spiritual life, Time acts as a springboard for an eternal life in the kingdom of God. Although Time kills rather than heals in this world, on a spiritual dimension, Time offers enriched realizations and closeness to God.

Source: http://www.radhanath-swami.net/when-mr-time-strikes/time-strikes