From Country to Country

From country to country we roam,
Carrying the flame of Love Divine,
Smiling and smiling.
The secret thought of each country
and the yearning of each life
Here become one.
On the road of Infinity,
In the embrace of the covenant
of the Light Supreme,
O Boatman of our Heart-Boat,
By loving You, we do all this.
– Sri Chinmoy

One evening, Sri Chinmoy was inspired to recount some of his first experiences in various countries. Before beginning, he said, by way of a preface: "During the day, if you did not get a chance to laugh, if you have not laughed even once, today is the golden chance for you to laugh and get rid of all your mental fever from depression and frustration." Most of these first-time stories were told on 2 December 1991 — several decades after they had taken place. They reflect at once Sri Chinmoy's outer worldly innocence and ancient inner wisdom.