Do not Imitate Others

You follow the path that suits your convenience. Any procedure that appeals to you and gives you shanti, and ananda can be followed. But never imitate. Never go by other people’s words and paths. You follow your chosen path. Otherwise, you lose your own way also. Imitation is human. But creation is divine.

I give you here a simple illustration from the life of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Once it so happened, that one disciple by name Brahmananda was crossing the river in aboat to buy and fetch the requirements for the residents of the asram. He overheard the conversation going on among others that boarded the same boat. One said that Ramakrishna was spoiling many youngsters who were wasting their time by being lazy in the name of devotion and that it was surprising to see them with shaven heads and wearing ochre robes. Brahmananda felt very sad and shed tears. He returned to the asram that evening. Ramakrishna asked him what had happened in the boat while crossing the river. Brahmananda recounted the whole episode feeling very bad about the remarks made against Ramakrishna and his disciples. Then Ramakrishna was furious and said, “What Brahmananda! How could you hear all these remarks! Can you bear when your Guru is criticised like that? How do you react when your parents are attacked? How could you hear all this?”

Next day, it was the turn of Vivekananda to go to the market. He boarded the boat and was on his way. Vivekananda had to hear once again the boatman speaking ill of Ramakrishna for making youngsters lazy and useless. He could not control his anger. He got upimmediately, held the neck of the boatman and was even ready to push him into the Ganges. Somehow, others calmed him down.

In the evening, as usual in the course of the conversation, Ramakrishna, surrounded by his young disciples, asked Vivekananda what had happened in the boat. He proudly reported his reaction to the words of the boatman. Then Ramakrishna said, “What Naren! Are you not ashamed of your behaviour? Couldn’t you control your anger? What is the use of your sadhana? Is this the way a brahmacari should behave?”

Vivekananda then asked, “It is very strange to hear you speak like this. The other day you were angry with Brahmananda for keeping quiet when we were criticised. Today when I reacted to the same words, you are blaming me. Why this difference, Swami?” Ramakrishna smiling said, “A bicycle has two tires. There is too much air in the front wheel. A little of it should be let out. The air is less than necessary in the back wheel. Some more air must bepumped into it. So also, Brahmananda should have more spirit, while your temper must be reduced.” That’s how the individual level is important in the spiritual path. You shouldn’t imitate and follow others blindly.

 

Imitation can never become culture. You may wear royal robes and act the role; but can you, as a result of this imitation, become a king? A donkey clothed in tiger skin does not become a tiger. Imitation is a sign of cowardice. It cannot further one’s progress. In fact the tendency to imitate leads you down, step by step, into frightful shape. You must endeavour to uplift yourselves. You must be proud that you are devotees of the Lord. You must be proud of your ancestors. You should not imitate others and copy their attitudes. However, you may imbibe the good in t.

- Baba