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Understand the local cultural and social elements. Do not sit in judgement over them.

Q: When we try to take up some societal programme for the people here in India, we find local elements like ‘caste’ impede and interfere. How to deal with them?

Swamiji: This is something strange to hear. One fundamental for every citizen of the world is to appreciate people’s customs and manners, wherever he goes. If you run fast, the people whom you want to take with you, will lag behind. If you walk slowly, they will go ahead of you. Only if you keep to a moderate speed to take the society with you, they can and will be along with you.

Understand the local cultural and social elements. Do not sit in judgement over them. Your idea must be to help and serve the people. Do this heartily. Once your words and moves reflect the spirit of appreciation and service, those around will certainly honour it. Who will not accept a loving hand of service?

If there is any problem, you may discuss it with people like us. I am given to the ascetic life of introspection and refinement, aimed at generating inner enrichment, ecstasy and fulfillment. I am living and moving with people of different cultures, habits and customs. Nowhere have I found any resistance or reluctance.

Appreciate people for what they are. Assimilate the environment. And go ahead heartily. You will be effective.

– Vicharasethu – Dec 2008