Sharing the poignant yet profound wisdom of these words…
*Autumn Leaf*
I asked the leaf if it was frightened because it was autumn and the other leaves were falling.
The leaf answered, “No. During the whole spring and summer I was completely alive. I worked hard to help nourish the tree, and now much of me is in the tree.
I am not limited by this form. I am also the whole tree, and when I go back to the soil, I will continue to nourish the tree. So I don’t worry at all.
As I leave this branch and float to the ground, I will wave to the tree and tell her, ‘I will see you again very soon’.”
That day a wind came blowing, and a while later, I saw the leaf leave the branch and float down to the soil, dancing joyfully, because as it floated it saw itself already there in the tree.
It was so happy. I bowed my head, knowing that I have a lot to learn from the leaf.
~ Thich Nhat Han
Autumn at The Old Plantation
Sharnagati
Once a Crow, holding on to a piece of meat was flying to a place to sit & eat peacefully…
However, a flock of Eagles who were flying nearby started chasing it. The crow became scared & anxious. It started flying higher and higher, yet the much stronger eagles were after the poor crow.
Just then “Garuda” saw the plight and pain in the eyes of the crow. Coming closer to the crow, he asked:
“What’s wrong, dear? You seem to be very “disturbed” and in terrible “stress”?”..
The crow cried “Look at these eagles!! They are after me – to kill me”.
Garuda being the bird of wisdom spoke “Oh my friend!! They are not after you to kill you!! In fact, they are after that piece of meat that you are holding tightly in your beak”. Just drop it and see what happens.
The crow followed the advice of Garuda and dropped the piece of meat, and lo & behold..
All the eagles in a mad rush flew towards the falling meat.
Garuda smiled and said “The Pain is only till you hold on to it” Just Drop” it & release the “Pain”..
The crow just bowed and said “Thank You for your wise advice.. I dropped this piece of meat & now, I can fly even higher without tension..”
*There is a message in this story for all of us :*
1. People carry the huge burden called “Ego,” which creates a false identity about oneself, like – ” I am so & so, I should be loved, I need to be respected, I need to be invited.. etc… ..
_Just Drop_ – this silly “Ego” & assumption about yourself & see what happens..
2. People get irritated instantly by “others actions or words” .. It could be anyone – friend, parents, children, colleagues, spouse etc….. and instantly the sparks of Anger get ignited & one starts fuming ..
_Just Drop…._ this senseless “negative feeling” & see what happens..
3. People compare themselves with others.. in beauty, wealth, life style, marks, talent and appraisals and get disturbed & insecure…
forgetting the fact that We must be grateful with what we have … ..”
_Just Drop_…- these silly comparisons, negative emotions & see what happens..
Some people are attached in a negative way to their jobs, their material possessions, their dear ones..which creates more harm than good..
_Just Drop_..detach yourself.. drop the burden of attachment & see what happens..
Probably, that’s the reason why in temples ash (vibuthi) is given to devotees – To constantly remind us.. we are nothing but dust.
*_We have risen from the Dust & unto Dust we shall return.._*
Whenever there is empathy in action it is often mirrored by hearts and minds to create, generate, loving and caring thoughts as a response to the action. Every empathic thought finds its way into expression through thoughts, words or deeds.
With increasing empathic thoughts and action there is unknowingly a connectedness,in valuing the interdependence in this web of life and living as a way of being. Empathy is truly a way of being and in these times of uncertainty, it is beginning to matter all the more in our life and living every day!
Every thought sets a pattern
In fact in a loop
Of interwoven scenes
Some that seem relatively strange
And some unidentifiable
Every loop jumps and lights up another
In the intersection
Is thought quantifiable at all?
Thoughts come and go
But what if we reflect on our thoughts
Like witnessing our breath, as it goes on
Thoughts may manifest on their own.
When we are mindful of our thoughts.
May be just for a bit of time every now and then
We flow along and cultivate an awareness of its nature
We become gradually mindful of the now.
In time, a sense of connect develops
In conscious awareness of our intentions.
We are creating spaces between our thoughts
And pauses in our reflections.
When shift is known by the mind
And felt in the heart
Then every thing moves
In conscious awareness.
