The good and bad shopkeepers

One day I went to buy an alarm clock for Alo because she needed one badly. First I went to one store and bought a pair of shoes. Then I went to another store to look for the clock. The man was extremely kind and polite and showed me five or six alarm clocks. I selected one that I liked and bought it.

When I walked out of the store, I left the bag with my shoes there. I had covered about four blocks when all of a sudden behind me I heard some footsteps and panting. The gentleman from the store had come running after me, saying, "Sir, Sir!" Then he gave me my shoes.

I was so moved, and I wanted to give him a tip. He said, "Oh no, I can't take that." The gentleman had run four blocks to catch me. I was so grateful.

I entered into a meditative consciousness and continued walking back to the Palace Gardens Hotel. After I had covered another three or four blocks, I saw a small shop selling bags. It was like a boutique. When I entered the store, the owner, an Arab lady, said to me, "You not good man. Go away."

I looked at her. Then I saw a beautiful scarf and asked, " How much is this?"

Again she said, "You go away my shop. Go away."

This is what happens when you are in a meditative consciousness. Finally I went away. The following day, I told Alo about the incident and she was so mad and furious. She wanted to go there.

So these are two experiences with shopkeepers, one good and one bad.

From:Sri Chinmoy,Salutations, numbers 5-8, Agni Press, 1981
Sourced from https://srichinmoylibrary.com/slt_2