HAZRAT INAYAT KHAN: 'The Idel Life'

[Guest guest]

"Once I was with a sage whom many people went to see. He pleased

them all, and he was not fond of disputing or discussing, because to

a sage there is nothing to discuss. Discussion is for those who

say, "What I say is right, and what you say is wrong." A sage never

says such a thing; hence there is no discussion. But the world is

always fighting and discussing and disputing.

 

Many would come and try to dispute with him, but he did his best to

avoid dispute. I was very fond of listening to his way of dealing

with enquirers.

 

My friends wanted to discuss what the ideal life is. He

said, "Whatever you think it is."

 

But my friends were not satisfied with this; they wanted a

discussion. They answered, "Do you think this worldly life, with so

many responsibilities, with strife from morning to evening, can be

the ideal life?"

 

He said, "Yes."

 

They asked, "Do you not think that the life you lead, retirement and

seclusion, is the ideal life?"

 

He answered, "Yes."

 

They said, "But how can we give up our present life, our

responsibilities to our children, our occupations, and all these

things that take up so much time? How can we leave that life in

order to follow your ideal life?"

 

He said, "Do not leave it."

 

They went on, "But if we do not leave it, how can we get on in the

spiritual life?"

 

Then the sage asked, "What do you mean by the spiritual life?"

 

"We mean by spiritual life a life like yours," they answered. He

said, "If you think my life is a spiritual life, be like me; if you

think your life is a spiritual life, keep to it. It is not possible

to say which life is best. If you think your worldly strife brings

you happiness. just keep to it; if you think my life gives you

happiness, give up your own. Whatever makes you happy and makes you

think you are doing right, do it from that moment, and see what the

result is. If it gives you more happiness, go on regardless of what

others say. If it gives you happiness, if you are satisfied while

doing it, while reaping its effect, then it is all right. Go on with

it, and you will always be blessed."

 

--Hazrat Inayat Khan: "TALES", p. l88-l89

 

 

Blessings,

 

Kathy

 

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