*An Unexpected Encounter
During my 'Maun Vrat' (vow of silence), I stepped out to buy some essentials. As I drove, I noticed a man walking in a way that made me feel he needed a lift. Living in a society at a dead end, I understand the daily struggle of those without their own vehicles—walking at least 2 km to reach public transport. It has become my routine to offer a ride whenever I see someone in need.
At that moment, I faced an internal dilemma. 'Should I stick to my silence, or should I speak to help someone?' Then, I reminded myself—my silence is my personal practice, but helping others is my duty. If breaking my silence served a higher purpose, it would not violate its essence. So, I stopped and asked the man if he needed a lift.
His face showed complete surprise, as if silently asking, “Who are you?” I explained that although we had never met before, I could sense from his walk that he needed help. He replied with something that deeply moved me—“No one in today’s world cares enough to stop and ask if someone needs a lift.”
*Time: A Master or a Tool?
As we drove, I shared my thoughts with him. People don’t necessarily lack kindness; they lack **time.** Work, responsibilities, family, commitments—everything demands their attention. People are not managing time; time is managing them.
I realized how my life had changed. When I was working, juggling a job and family, I too had no time to pause and notice the needs of others. Now, being free from professional constraints, I have the time to do what truly matters. This freedom is blissful.
Many participants in my online sessions express their struggle with time. They say, “I have a job, I don’t have time.” But they don’t realize that they are missing life itself. The real thing is being present in the Here and Now—this is true meditation.
*Beyond Urban and Rural: The Role of Environment
I never asked the man his name, but during our conversation, he mentioned that he lived in Mumbai and only visited Nashik occasionally, as this was his second home. He explained that since he didn’t live here permanently, he hadn’t bought a vehicle for this location.
A thought crossed my mind—perhaps because he was from a metro city, he wasn’t accustomed to people helping each other. But then, I reflected deeper. It is not about urban or rural settings—it is about the environment and values that shape individuals.
I have seen villages where people readily help each other, but I have also seen villages where people remain indifferent. Similarly, in cities, some people go out of their way to help, while others remain disconnected. It is not the place, but the mindset and peace of mind a person carries that determine their actions.
Whenever I visit my land in a rural area, I always offer lifts to people walking from the highway to their villages. In that setting, offering and receiving lifts is normal—it is an unspoken culture of mutual help. No one finds it uncommon or surprising. The environment naturally fosters this behavior.
*Bhagavad Gita’s Wisdom: The Trap of Hypocrisy
Because I have studied the Bhagavad Gita, I knew this verse, which made it easy for me to make the right decision instantly.
Bhagavad Gita 3.6:
कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन्।
इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते॥
"One who outwardly restrains the organs of action but dwells mentally upon the sense objects is deluded and is called a hypocrite."
*How This Verse Guided My Decision
This verse teaches that true integrity is when our inner thoughts and outer actions align. Many people engage in outward discipline—like fasting, silence, or rituals—not for inner growth but to appear disciplined to others. Their external actions do not match their internal thoughts, making it a mere show.
Had I refused to speak just to prove that I was following Maun Vrat, it would have been **hypocrisy**—exactly what this verse warns against. I would have been restraining my speech outwardly but internally thinking about whether I should help.
However, because I understood this teaching, I **did not feel the need to prove to anyone** that I was in Maun Vrat. I knew that speaking to help someone did not break the essence of my silence—it only reinforced my true values.
*The Guru’s Lesson: Carrying Burdens in the Mind
This experience reminded me of a well-known story found in various Hindu and Buddhist traditions, including the Zen teachings.
A Guru and his disciples were traveling from one village to another. Before starting the journey, the Guru instructed them:
"Do not look at any woman, and do not even think about them."
As they walked, they came across a river where a woman was sitting, unable to cross due to the strong currents. Without hesitation, the Guru picked her up, carried her across the river, and left her on the other side.
The disciples were shocked. They couldn’t believe that their Guru, who had instructed them to avoid women, had not only touched one but had also carried her in his arms!
Days passed, and one disciple could not contain his thoughts anymore. He finally asked, "Guruji, how could you carry that woman? Wasn't that against your teaching?"
The Guru smiled and replied, "I left her at the riverbank, but you are still carrying her in your mind."
*Applying This Lesson to My Experience
This story perfectly connects to my experience with the man who needed a lift. The Guru did not see the woman as a "woman"—he saw a human being in need of help. His external action was pure because his internal intention was pure.
Similarly, in my case, I did not see my silence as a rigid rule to follow at the cost of not helping someone. I knew that Maun Vrat was not just about refraining from speech or for showing off; it was about cultivating inner silence and clarity. When I spoke to the man, I was not breaking my vow—I was acting in alignment with its true purpose.
If I had forced myself to stay silent just for the sake of maintaining the appearance of discipline, I would have been like the disciple who misunderstood his Guru’s teaching. But because I understood the essence of both Maun Vrat and the Gita’s wisdom, I could make an immediate and correct decision without any internal conflict.
*Final Thought: Are We Truly Free?
This simple experience of giving a lift revealed deep truths—about time, integrity, and human connection.
- Are we managing time, or is time managing us?
- Are we disciplined in spirit, or just in appearance?
- Are we carrying unnecessary burdens in our minds, or are we truly free?
In the end, real freedom is not just about having time—it is about having clarity. And clarity comes when we align our thoughts, words, and actions with truth.
If this resonates with you, share your thoughts in the comments. If you too wish to step away from the race and experience true presence, let’s connect.
Manjushree Rathi
Director, ME Holistic Centre
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