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Now is the best time to begin

A spiritual discourse using a parable to illustrate the necessity of spiritual practice amidst life's distractions.

"Either you teach your horse to drink amidst this noise, or you take your horse away thirsty."

"Therefore, never wait for anything... we have to learn to exist in this noisy world, and we must learn to bring forth the wisdom that can cleanse us for salvation."

The speaker recounts a parable of a horseman whose thirsty horse is frightened by the noise of a water pump, refusing to drink. He uses this story to argue that one should not wait for life's problems and distractions to cease before beginning prayer or meditation, as they never will. He extends the lesson to modern life, cautioning against postponing spiritual practice until retirement, as new duties and a sense of emptiness often follow.

Recording location: Australia, Sydney, Swamiji's World Tour

A story came to my mind as a small example. There was a rider on his horse, traveling through a desert. The horse was beautiful—young, full of energy, and very gentle. The desert was long, and both of them were thirsty. After a great distance, a small farmhouse appeared. There was a tubewell, but there was no electricity. So, they used a diesel engine generator. The horseman asked for water, and the farmer started his generator. The generator began to make noise. The horse, hearing the noise of technology for the first time, was frightened and would not drink the water. The rider said, "Please stop the generator." He stopped it, but then there was no water. The rider asked again, "Please start the generator." He started it; it made noise and water came, but the horse, scared, still did not drink. He asked once more, "Please, can you stop it?" He stopped. When this happened a third time, the farmer said, "My dear friend, either you teach your horse to drink amidst this noise, or you take your horse away thirsty." This story means that we have so many different kinds of noises in our lives, so many problems. We think, "When all this is solved, then I will pray and meditate. When these noises of life finish, then I will begin." But the noises will not finish. So we have to learn to exist in this noisy world, and we must learn to bring forth the wisdom that can cleanse us for salvation. This is what life means. Many people think, "When I retire, I will go and have more time for my garden and for meditation." But after retirement, the children come and say, "Father, can you take care of the grandchildren?" The neighbors come and say, "Well, I am going on holiday; can you take care of my dog, please?" And then the next day, other neighbors come and say, "I am so busy; please, can you go to town and do this work for me?" So after retirement, there are often more duties. Suddenly, one feels empty. Depression comes because there is no work. While working, one becomes a workaholic. Suddenly one thinks, "Now I have nothing to do." And the big shock is this: "My God, I am so old. I am retired." Then one becomes older more and more quickly, losing all motivation in life. Therefore, never wait for anything. I wish for you that there will be a better and happier time in your life. But I doubt it. That is our life situation now in this modern civilization. Whatever you do, it is yours. Each and every step will be counted. Whatever you do, it is yours. Each and every step will be counted. Recording location: Australia, Sydney, Swamiji's World Tour

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt, what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

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