Sufi Story

[Guest guest]

Once upon a time there were two cart-horses. They

worked together for many years, pulling the cart of a

peasant. Over the years, they often argued with each

other, complaining that the other was not keeping to its

side, or was going just a little too quickly or just a

little too slow.<br><br>One day, one of the two horses

suddenly died.<br><br>The remaining horse was very upset

about this.<br><br>It realized that in all the time

that they had worked together, it had not once told

the other horse how much it valued its company and

its faithful help in pulling the cart. Now the chance

was gone forever ...<br><br>The horse also reflected

on all the squabbles they had had. It suddenly

understood that it need not have taken offence as easily as

it had done, that it need not have borne as many

grudges, that it could have been less arrogant, in short,

it realized that it had wasted all the energy that

had been available for friendship and kindness on

unworthy and unnecessary thoughts and emotions.<br><br>The

horse was ashamed and resolved to lead a different life

in future. Whoever its new partner was going to be,

things were going to be different.<br><br>But time

passed, and the horse forgot. One day, it caught itself

in exactly the same kind of behavior that it had

sworn never to engage in again.<br><br>The horse could

not understand why it had returned to its old

ways.<br><br>That evening, in the stable, the horse decided to seek

out the peasant's donkey, which had a reputation for

wisdom among the animals.<br><br>The donkey listened to

the horse's story. Eventually, it replied. "It is

good that you have noticed what has happened. If you

truly want to change, this is possible; but it will,

for a long time, cost you your peace of mind. Are you

prepared to accept this?"<br><br>The horse replied that it

definitely did not want to return to its old ways. Anything

was better than that.<br><br>So the donkey continued,

"There is one very simple, and at the same time very

hard thing that you have to do. Remember every day

that one day, perhaps today, perhaps many years from

now, you will die. Remember every day that the horse

next to you will die. Remember every day that every

other creature you will see, will one day die. Remember

that all animals alive today are part of a wave, which

will soon break and be lost on the beach forever, to

be followed by a new wave, and another, and another.

No wave is permanent. The only thing that is

permanent is the ocean."<br><br>There were tears in the

horse's eyes.<br><br>The donkey continued, "Only if you

remember death will you become strong-willed and alert

enough not to postpone love. This is my advice to you,

and in following it, perhaps one day you may come to

know that which is deathless."<br><br>regards

[Guest guest]

Thanks Imthi dear, It was indeed an inspiring

story. It reminded me of another similar story which one

of my gurus used to tell.<br><br> Once there was a

saint who was known for his wisdom and had many

disciples who worshipped him like God. Once his old friend

who was busy in worldly affairs visited him and

seeing his respect told sarcastically," so you are

enjoying in the name of god !! These offerings of fruits,

clothes and ornaments...and these beautiful women serving

you, You are in heaven..It is you who are enjoying

life not me. <br><br> The saint saw towards his friend

with deep sight and said," that I will explain later

but first let me tell you...your life is going to end

on the Seventh day from today". The friend was

stunned because the saint was known and accepted as a

great astrologer too...any of his fortune telling would

come true.<br><br> The friend started weeping and fell

on the feet of the saint and said," Oh my ! I have

so much to do and I am so young...please tell me a

way how i can evade death ?"<br><br> The saint

thought and said," Well wear this saffron rob and chant

this Mantra continuous for seven days and if you chant

it with faith and devotion...u will survive" The

friend immediately followed and sat in the inner room of

the Ashram and started chanting the Mantra. Now

whosoever came to visit the saint he would tell them," My

Guru from Himalaya is there in the inner room...please

pay your respects to him not to me" The people were

more than happy to serve the Param guru and soon the

inner room was filled with gifts from

disciples.<br><br> On seventh day, the saint told his friend," OK

now your death has been evaded...open your eyes and

see how your room is filled with ornaments, clothes,

jewels and many beautifully women serving you....Hope

you also enjoyed this heaven.<br><br> The friend

sighed and said," Sir I enjoyed it ??? I had no time to

see towards them, as I knew my death is coming in

seven days and I had to finish my Mantra in this time,

otherwise i will die. You are a learned man..you should

know how one can enjoy things when he knows death will

knock after seven days ?"<br><br> The saint smiled and

said," Here is the answer to your question dear. You

blamed me of enjoying these gifts. You knew your death

was coming after seven days and you could not

enjoy...then how can I enjoy these things and be proud of

them, when I do not know if my next breath will be my

last breath. I always take my present breath as my

last breath and then I do not care for these wordly

things...the loves, or the cruelties or appreciations of the

people."<br><br>Hari Aum

[Guest guest]

Good story. Is death an end of all? What will remain of me, after my death ?

What are the things we carry after death besides our Karma?<br><br>any answers

?<br><br>vinoo<br><br>Do I ask too much?

[Guest guest]

This is indeed an inspiring story. Its fixes the

foundation of love. Over the period of time, you will

realise that the joy in loving and giving is far greater

than the emotions of grudge and ego, that you will do

the good things not because u will miss an

opportunity when they die, its because u love to do it and

not miss an opportunity, because its not worth

missing.<br><br>If you have realised, the story illustrates the

transition of the mind from one Guna to the Other. Over a

period of time, u will love everything because u see

thats its lord there in it rather than an animal or a

human. <br><br>- Seshadri.

[Guest guest]

Thank you Imthi_yaz ! I appreciate your<br>posting of SUFI

STORY.<br><br>Regards.<br><br>>chautan_nlg