Wisdom of the world - Week 164

Two Jars
The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit.
"These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different," he explained.
Then he upset one of the jars and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other jar, and vinegar spilled out.
"When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference was within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed."

Wisdom of the world - Week 163

Changing Attitude

“Over the course of one year, give a coin to each person who offends or upsets you,” instructed the abbot of a young man who wanted people to follow a spiritual path.
For the next twelve months, a boy gave a coin to each person who offended of upset him, as he was instructed. At the end of the year, he returned to the abbot to find out what the next steps were.
“Go into town and buy food for me,” the abbot responded.
Once the boy left, the abbot changed his clothes, and disguised himself as a beggar and went to the gate. When the boy approached, he began to insult him.
“Good!” said the boy, “for a whole year I had to pay the people who upset or offended me, and now I can be attacked for free, without spending anything!”
Hearing this, the abbot removed his disguise. “He who does not take insults seriously, is on the path to wisdom.”

Wisdom of the world - Week 162

 

Does The Master Not Suffer With Bad Disciples

A disciple asked Firoz:
"The mere presence of a master causes all sorts of curious people to gather round, to discover something beneficial. Can't this be a hindrance and negative? Can't this divert the master from his path, or cause him to suffer because he could not teach that which he wished?"
Firoz, the Sufi master, replied:
"The sight of an avocado tree laden with fruit whets the appetite of all those who pass by. If someone wishes to satisfy his hunger beyond his needs, he will eat more avocados than necessary, and will be sick. However, this causes no indigestion to the man who owns the avocado tree.
It is the same with our Search. The path must be open to all; but it is for God to set the limits of each individual."

Paulo Coelho