This is from my book – Are YOU Ready to Succeed?
The message is even more relevant today. Please let me know if you agree.
In Part 1, I explained how you create the world you experience from what is actually inside you and then you experience it as you have created it. In Part 2 I explained how to transform the gunk that is inside you. Today I will help you tie it all together with an instructive parable.
Peace!
Steel is heated white hot and hammered and plunged into cold water on its way to becoming a fine sword. Think of the traumas that come your way as the human equivalent. They came to test you and stretch you and toughen you for the things you have to do in your life as you follow your unique path. Pay particular attention to the stories of others who faced great suffering and it only served to take them to greater heights. Persons like Helen Keller who became blind and deaf in infancy, Christopher Reeve who went from Superman to helpless in the blink of an eye, Srinivasa Ramanujam who churned out mathematical theorems and proofs while his body wasted away, Nelson Mandela who hung on through decades in prison and others of their ilk.
Make it a point to read about winners of the various events in the Special Olympics, about businesspersons who snap back from bankruptcy and financial ruin, about social entrepreneurs like Ashoka Fellows who face overwhelming odds and chip away at them daily with unflagging fortitude. Paying attention to such tales will direct your own mental chatter and make it easier for you to understand how the Universe is also shaping you in the same manner as the potter molds the wet clay.
Coping with senseless tragedies: It is only AFTER you have become thoroughly grounded that you can come to terms with some deep tragedies like the suffering of others. How can you reconcile the notion of a conscious benevolent Universe with the knowledge of the horrific things that are happening in the world outside? It is even tougher when horrible things happen to close loved ones.
There is a simple strategy that you can employ. Remember that it will only work if you have done the initial spadework and become comfortable with the concept that the Universe is constantly intervening in YOUR life. That it is constantly steering you around pitfalls, bringing you the help you need when you feel overwhelmed, leading you to bounty in different guises and always looking after you in myriad ways. You have to feel this at a very deep level before you can use the strategy presented below.
Think of a raging forest fire. It is beautiful in its vengeance if you are an observer far away from the heat and the searing flames. It destroys everything across vast swaths of land and possibly takes animal and human life as well. However, we now know that forest fires have their own necessary role in ecology. They thin trees, clear brush and make it possible for new growth to occur. Accept that the tragedies you find difficult to fathom are like that forest fire in some way. The suffering is a painful cleansing. Recognize that the fact the suffering disturbs you is a clear sign that your role is to do what you can to alleviate it and to work with others to lessen it. You cannot duck this responsibility.
That is the key. You CANNOT duck responsibility. As long as the suffering moves you, you have to take some measure to lessen it and you have to do this consciously. Remember that this gets you right back to the Other Centered world exercise. You cannot, in the immortal words of Bob Dylan, turn your head and pretend that you just don’t see. And if you act in this manner, providing succor without the drive of your ego needs, you will see how all tragedies fit into a grander scheme. Even if you do not see this clearly, you will sense that there is a larger purpose that is being served and there is healing in this knowledge.
It is wonderfully liberating to live in this world. This world where the Universe behaves as if it was specifically designed for your needs and acts to give you exactly what you need. A world where you can accept that what you want is not always what you need. That a child may want a tub of ice-cream but a wise parent provides fresh fruit and vegetables.
Are you kidding yourself that the Universe is like this? Yes you are. You absolutely are.
But then you are kidding yourself that the Universe is like you think it is right now – indifferent to you and capricious with its gifts and sometimes downright malicious.
You cannot ‘prove’ either model. You cannot force yourself to believe either model. But you CAN let that belief arise in you. And it is far, far better to live in the bosom of a benevolent Universe.
The exercises in this book will lead you unfailingly in the direction of greater joy and certitude. If you do them sincerely and consciously they will get you on a very powerful virtuous cycle where each summit with a glorious view is quickly supplanted by a higher peak with a more splendid vista.
That’s just the way its. Don’t take my word for it. You would be foolish to. Discover it for yourself in your own life. That is when it will become concrete reality for you. The ‘reality’ that you will live in for the rest of your life.
He was a powerful Emperor, known for his justice and benevolence. He was wise beyond measure and governed so well that the kingdom prospered mightily and was constantly expanding even without military conquest. Village after village at the geographic frontiers simply elected to become part of the kingdom and the king was too kind-hearted to refuse. His credo was that riches existed to be shared.
By custom, all members of any village that became a new part of the empire was welcome to visit the Royal Palace in the capital. Each member of the palace staff to whom a villager paid respects was obligated to give a gift. The higher the position of the member, the more valuable was the gift given. This was the tradition and it was widely proclaimed and known by all. It probably contributed to the willingness of villagers to merge with the kingdom.
The headman of a dirt-poor village that had just joined the kingdom was exhorting the villagers to set out for the capital. “It is so far,” they wailed, “How can we leave our homes for so long? What will be eat on the way and where will we find shelter and what will become of our huts.” And so half the village did not even begin the journey.
The path was not well marked and the journey was long and arduous and half of those who set out lost their heart and turned back. The rest struggled on and supported each other with words of encouragement and they finally reached the capital.
The guard at the palace gate was tall and imposing. He wore a white and red uniform with gold braids and shiny brass buttons. The villagers had never seen anyone so imposing. “Surely this is the Emperor,” they said and they made obeisance. He gave each villager who did a handful of copper coins and they were satisfied. Many turned back to their village clutching the coins.
A few went up to the gate and the guard opened it for them. Inside was an usher and he wore a similar uniform, but his clothes were made of silk and they were more elegant. The villagers knew that they had been mistaken, that he was the king and they bowed. He gave them each a silver coin and many took it gratefully and took their leave.
The headman gathered his courage and asked if he was truly the king. The usher told him that the king was in the inner palace and took him and those of his village who remained across the courtyard and over a moat. The major domo who opened the heavy door was truly resplendent bedecked with ribbons. “This is finally the emperor,” they all knew and bowed again and he gave each a handful of silver coins. And many turned and left marveling at their good fortune.
And so it went on as those who were left met ministers at various levels. Only the headman and one other were left when they met the grand vizier and he gave each of them a magnificent diamond and bade them leave and the last villager did.
But the headman was gently persistent and so the vizier opened the door to the throne room and there was the emperor who was dressed simply in white. And this time the headman knew that he was not mistaken and he paid his respects with tears in his eyes. And the emperor gave him much wealth and, more importantly, assigned him to his wise men for instruction so he could one day assume a position in the royal court.
All of you are like the villagers who have set out on the journey. You will receive many benefits like copper and silver coins as you do the exercises. Accept them gratefully, but do not think that they came from the king. The king has a much greater gift for you and you will get it only if you are gently persistent.
It is my earnest hope that you will not stop till you have ignited a transformation process that will take over by itself and carry you the rest of the way. That you do not turn back till you, too, have seen the emperor.
Peace!
