Learning to Understand

  There was once a man who went to see a mystic who was reputed to be very knowledgeable.

    "Sir," he said. "I lead a comfortable life and have no desire for anything material in nature and yet I always feel as though my life is missing something. I would like nothing more than to just be happy."

   

The mystic replied, "I have the answer that will solve your problem but it entails some work on your part." The man readily agreed and begged him to go on.

    "Go and travel the world and look for the happiest man in the world and when you find him, ask him for his shirt and put it on."

    The seeker immediately set out looking for happy people. One by one he came across various individuals, each one naming another happier than themselves.

    After many months of traveling from one country to another, he found out that the happiest man in the world lived somewhere in the woods near a village in India. When he reached the place, he followed the echoes of laughter he heard among the trees. Finally coming face to face with an old man, he asked him, "Are you the happiest man in the world?"

    "Yes, I am," replied the old man.

   

    The seeker introduces himself and relayed to him the purpose of his search and then asked, "I have been ordered by a great mystic to wear your shirt; please give it to me and I will give you anything you ask for in exchange."

   

    The happiest man looked at him closely and burst into uncontrollable fits of laughter. He laughed and laughed and he laughed much to the annoyance of the seeker. "Are you insane that you laugh at such a serious request?" asked the seeker.

    "Maybe," replied the happiest man. "But if you had taken trouble to look, you will see that I am not wearing a shirt."

    "What do I do now?" sighed the seeker, feeling tired and dejected.

    "Don't worry," consoled the happiest man, "you will now be able to fulfill your quest. When you strive for something unattainable, the very effort you put in is the exercise that you need to achieve what is needed. When a man gathers all his strength to jump across a stream as though it was wider than it is, he gets across."

    The happiest man then took off his turban, a part of which had concealed his face. The seeker then saw that he was none other than the original mystic who had given him the advice.

    "But why did you not tell me this when I first came to see you?" the seeker asked, completely confused.

    "Because you were not ready then. You needed to go through the effort and the experience which would help you develop the capacity to understand."

- as told by my grandfather.   

What you make me know,

That alone I know.

What you make me see,

That alone I see.

                                        -Maulana Rum

The Secret Spring of Happiness

In the deepest woods of the forest, there lies a secret spring of happiness. One is drawn to its site by tinkling melody of its droplets. The serenity of its surroundings blends in with the majestic beauty of its waterfall. The purity of the stream has the power to rejuvenate even the most weary soul. Many a traveler has sought refuge of its waters…but few have been able to find it.

    This materialistic world is constantly on a quest for the spring of happiness. But more knowledge we achieve, the less wisdom we attain. The more economic security we acquire, the more bored we become. The more leisure we enjoy, the less content we are with life.

    We are like the restless ocean, finding a little peace here and there, but nothing permanent enough to satisfy us. So the pursuit continues…the desire to find this secret spring is one of the most powerful fuels that drives humanity. We search for it in many places – in relationships, careers, going to the movies, consuming alcohol. Buying clothes, etc. These are basically the things that lie outside the person, implying to that happiness is thought to be found through the outside world.

    Yet, within us we can feel that there is more to happiness than the pursuit of pleasures and possessions. We have a mysterious feeling that this spring of happiness exists somewhere and that makes life worthwhile. We keep telling ourselves that somehow, somewhere, we may stumble onto its secret. Sometimes we feel that we have found it – only to find it deceptive, leaving us disillusioned and unhappy.

    That happiness which brings enduring significance to life is not shallow happiness that is dependent upon outer circumstances. It is the happiness and contentment which fills the soul even in the most stressful situations and in the most unpleasant environments. It is the kind of happiness that can bring a smile to one's face even as one is going through the most distressing of times. The happiness for which our souls yearn is one that is unperturbed by success or failure, one which is rooted deeply within us and which brings about a feeling of peace and contentment. That kind of happiness springs forth from within the soul, enveloping it in a shroud of protection.

   So, is it possible that we are looking for this spring in the wrong place? If we were to take a lion and put it in a cage in the circus, could we get any idea of animal's real potential? If we were to take a fresh-water fish and put it in the sea, would that fish survive? The lion would feel imprisoned and suffer and the fish would surely die. This is because each creature has specific needs. So what are our needs as human beings? Do we know our own nature?

    Man by nature and instinct is left discontent without at least three things:

• First – man needs peace. Not merely a nondescript so-called peace of mind – but a peace which frees him from the bondage of life's distracting conflicts and frustrations, a peace of the soul which envelopes his entire being, a peace that operates even in the midst of life's trials ad tribulations.

• Second – man is confused, perplexed and disconnected from the truth. He needs truth – not just the truth of physical and astrological sciences but the truth of his being, his source and his purpose of existence.

• Third – and most importantly – man is lonely and lost without the connection to his creator. To have a vague knowledge of his existence is not enough. Man needs to be assured that he is not alone in this world, that a more supreme power and intelligence is guiding his destiny.

    Very few people have any inkling of their spiritual potential or the true nature of man. The secret to tapping the spring of happiness is to develop this spiritual dimension in man. This understanding is the key to a deeper and more constant contentment and allows man to fulfill his purpose. As the fish needs water to live and the lion needs the wild to thrive, so do human beings need spiritual nourishment and spiritual life to develop their full potential.

I was burning, I was aflame

I found the water of God's name.

The water of the Lord's grace

Removed all the trace of fire

From my heart that was burning.

- Kabir