Who Needs Whose Permission?

Nolini had two rooms. I worked in one of Nolini’s rooms. Now it is very beautifully decorated, and it is written that photography is absolutely forbidden. About ten years ago I wanted to visit the room. The man in charge had also been a marching captain. He and I had been in the same group as captains. I said to him, “May I go and see the room?”

He said, “Who is asking? Who needs whose permission? Do you need my permission to enter into that room? Do you need my permission?”

Then I entered into the room. With tearful eyes I was looking in this direction and in that direction. I said to my friend, “It says we cannot take photographs.”

He grabbed my camera and took my picture. Such kind treatment I got from him! Now he is head of the Trustees, and he is also head of the Ashram school. Some people can be very, very nice.

29 May 2002, Aspiration-Ground, New York

From:Sri Chinmoy,Depend on Grace, Agni Press, 2023
Sourced from https://srichinmoylibrary.com/dg