Ceci n'est pas une blog

Many stories, fictional or otherwise, have influenced our thinking profoundly. One such story that brushed the cobwebs off my mental gears and saved me from ruin over a year back goes something like this:

This city slicker had had decided that the hustle and bustle of daily life was a bit too much. There was little by way of joys, and he saw a vacuum in every sphere of his life - work, relationships, dirty weekends etc. Essentially, the works.

Realizing that he was hurtling towards a spiritual disaster, he decided that enough was enough, and he must seek the intervention of a Master. He jumped into his car and sped away to the mountains, where the reclusive Master lived.

When dawn broke, the city slicker reached the temple. He leapt out of his vehicle and rushed to where the Master was meditating.

"Master, I've had it. My life has brought me materialistic pleasures, and yet I feel empty. Please guide me to the path to salvation."

The Master opened his eyes, briefly scanned this city-slicker and with a calm, steady voice said, "Very well. But you must first get rid of those clothes and put on this gown. Here is a mat which you must lay out on the stone path in front of you. While kneeling on the mat, you must meditate on your Higher Self to commence on the path to salvation."

"Of course", said the city-slicker, and hastily proceeded to do as instructed.

A month passed, and the city-slicker was worse off than whence he began. His back hurt, his knees hurt and everytime he began meditating, his mind would wander off and engage in angry thoughts. He ran back to the Master.

"Master, this is not working. I ache all over and I'm unable to focus".

On hearing this, the Master briefly opened his eyes, smiled and said,"Don't worry, Son. That too shall pass."

On hearing these encouraging words, the city-slicker once more assumed his meditative pose and proceeded as before.

As months passed, he noticed a gentler, positive wave of energy pass through him. He noticed himself becoming calmer and participating with the Universe. Encouraged by his progress, he ran back to the Master.

"Master, what you said is true. I feel alive and at peace with myself."

On hearing this, the Master briefly opened his eyes, smiled and said,"Don't worry, Son. That too shall pass."

THE END