The Ocean And The Drop

SRI CHINMOY: Please feel my most sincere gratitude. It is most kind of you.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: How can you think that? It has to be the other way. You are the boundless energy and stillness all at the same time. How can you say that? I am the drop.

SRI CHINMOY: No, you are the ocean and I am the drop. Would it be possible for my students to have one or two pictures with you?

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: Of course!

SRI CHINMOY: Or is it forbidden by the secretary? They say that you do not want any photographers to come and take pictures.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: Oh, of course you can! Am I allowed to drink alcohol? Am I?

SRI CHINMOY: You can do anything you like.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: I did not expect that.

SRI CHINMOY: My oneness with you will never permit me to interfere with you in this way.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: But maybe it will be a bad influence on your students.

SRI CHINMOY: That may be, but nothing will bother me.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: I am ashamed when I have to have a drink. I love your face.

SRI CHINMOY: I love your soul and I love your entire existence on earth and in Heaven. You love my face. I love your soul, heart, mind, vital and body. I love your oneness with Mother-Earth and your oneness with Father-Heaven.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: The flowers you brought me must be put in water. They are so beautiful. How I wish my wife were here! She would have been so moved. She died a few months ago. She was the most beautiful woman in the world, unique.

SRI CHINMOY: How old was she?

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: Forty-one. But she looked much younger and she was much younger inside. She was really a creature of God. I have this. I want to give it to you. It is an scarf I bought in India. I like it very much. I want you to have it. It is blue. (First Sri Chinmoy tied the scarf around his neck in what he later described as a "funny, crazy way." Leonard Bernstein did not say anything, but untied and rearranged the scarf, and then embraced Sri Chinmoy.)

SRI CHINMOY: Blue is spirituality. This colour blue represents spirituality and Infinity.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN: Would you wear this?

SRI CHINMOY: Certainly!