The Trap

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

Got this email today and wanted to share it with you. It reminds me of

why we pray for Universal peace - it is not just a lofty idea but a

really practical suggestion to help ourselves. When we pray for others,

we are really praying for ourselves. When we lift others, we are really

lifting ourselves.

 

Jai Maa

Nanda

 

===================

 

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his

wife open a package.

 

What food might this contain? He was devastated to discover it was a

mousetrap.

 

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning,"There is a

mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

 

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said,"Mr. Mouse,

I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence

to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

 

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the

house."

 

The pig sympathized but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there

is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my

prayers."

 

The mouse turned to the cow. She said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for

you but it's no skin off my nose."

 

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected to face the

farmer's mousetrap alone.

 

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house; like the sound

of a mousetrap catching its prey.

 

The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she

did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

 

The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital

and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever

with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard

for the soup's main ingredient.

 

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit

with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

 

The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for

her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough

meat for all of them.

 

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it

doesn't concern you, remember when one of us is threatened, we are all

at risk.

 

In the book of Genesis, Cain said this about Abel, his brother, to our

God: "Am I my brother's keeper?"

 

We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye

out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

 

REMEMBER: EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY;

OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

 

 

~Author Unknown~

=========================

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the story Nanda.

 

It reminded me of an incident that happened a few weeks ago. I was

walking down the hall of my workplace, ready to leave for the day when a

young fillipino man- a casual work acquaintence- fell into step with me.

We exchanged a few superficial words as we walked along, when,

suddenly-and completely out of context from every point of view-he

asked, "What is the meaning of life?"

 

Those who work with the public all day, under high pressure conditions,

will understand that I was fried, tired, ready to go home, where I would

have a shower, some nourishment, take a few deep breaths, purge my mind

of the distractions of the day, and re-inter a more silent and spiritual

state of consciousness before retiring for the night.

That was the plan; that's what my mind was reaching for... And what's

wrong with that? We're only human, after all.

 

What is wrong with that is that even as I heard the question, spoken

with a slightly different tone of voice, and knew that it was coming

from a deeper, more real, part of his being, I also knew that I had

already lost the opportunity.

 

Although it only took a couple of seconds to get more centered

again-into a more silent, spacious, God-centered state, from which I

might have been able to say something useful, the brief opening had

already closed. Looking slightly embarrased as though he had said

something off color, the young man was talking the usual superficial

nonsense by which our egos so effectively shield themselves from the

Divine and from our higher Self.

 

The thought that crossed my mind then was "Eternal vigilance is the

price of liberty". But, in addition, it is also the price of effective

service to others.

 

So far as my personal sadhana is concerned, I can set aside a couple of

times during the day to put distractions on the shelf and think of God.

But, if I want to be a servant of the Mother, to do Her work in the

world, there are no banker's hours. For such a servant of the Mother,

for a karma yogi, the metaphor is closer to that of a doctor, with his

pager, always on call; or that of a mother with young children-no

vacations for her! Or even that of a gunfighter in Olde Tomestone

Territory.

 

The Divine Mother becomes very demanding if we wish to work for

Her-leisure time, recreation, superficiality, being too tired to think

of God-I can't visualize Her Herself in those indulgent moods. And so I

guess She doesn't expect me to indulge in them either. Mothers always

teach by example.

 

And so the words came up: "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty".

And, if karma yoga, as the service of the Divine in humanity, is to

produce one's own liberation, the spiritual goal, as any yoga must, then

the quality of the work must be equal to the goal... And that would

mean, "no vacations".

 

But, is that such a harsh burdon? Unbroken Presence of God is itself a

continuous vacation in the Bahamas. And continuous Presence, offering

the Lord the fruits of our work-not once at the end of the day, but

moment by moment-is all that is required of a karma yogi. Because

Presence of God ensures the presence of mind, as also the inspiration,

to say and do the right thing at the right time. And that is efficient

service.

 

And, for our own realization, being spiritually mindful in every moment

is also the way: God is not a respector of persons, nor a respector of

time. Our liberating encounter with the Spirit may be waiting for us

around the next corner, or within the next moment. There are no rules

where God is concerned. The curtain may part at any moment, and God

Himself may look through and say, "What is the meaning of life?"

 

Tanmaya

 

 

 

 

 

 

, "Nanda" <chandimaakijai wrote:

>

>

> Dear All,

>

> Got this email today and wanted to share it with you. It reminds me of

> why we pray for Universal peace - it is not just a lofty idea but a

> really practical suggestion to help ourselves. When we pray for

others,

> we are really praying for ourselves. When we lift others, we are

really

> lifting ourselves.

>

> Jai Maa

> Nanda

>

> ===================

>

> A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his

> wife open a package.

>

> What food might this contain? He was devastated to discover it was a

> mousetrap.

>

> Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning,"There is

a

> mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

>

> The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said,"Mr.

Mouse,

> I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence

> to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

>

> The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the

> house."

>

> The pig sympathized but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but

there

> is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my

> prayers."

>

> The mouse turned to the cow. She said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry

for

> you but it's no skin off my nose."

>

> So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected to face

the

> farmer's mousetrap alone.

>

> That very night a sound was heard throughout the house; like the sound

> of a mousetrap catching its prey.

>

> The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she

> did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

>

> The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the

hospital

> and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever

> with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the

farmyard

> for the soup's main ingredient.

>

> But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to

sit

> with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the

pig.

>

> The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for

> her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough

> meat for all of them.

>

> So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it

> doesn't concern you, remember when one of us is threatened, we are all

> at risk.

>

> In the book of Genesis, Cain said this about Abel, his brother, to our

> God: "Am I my brother's keeper?"

>

> We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye

> out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

>

> REMEMBER: EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S

TAPESTRY;

> OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

>

>

> ~Author Unknown~

> =========================

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you both for these wonderful stories. Having read them first

thing this morning, they serve as inspiration for my day. I will

remember that sweet mouse asking for help, as the saying, "eternal

vigilance is the price of liberty" repeats in my mind.

 

I am so blessed to have my life woven together with all of you.

 

love,

wendy

 

, "ty_maa" <dsjames wrote:

>

>

> Thank you for the story Nanda.

>

> It reminded me of an incident that happened a few weeks ago. I was

> walking down the hall of my workplace, ready to leave for the day

when a

> young fillipino man- a casual work acquaintence- fell into step

with me.

> We exchanged a few superficial words as we walked along, when,

> suddenly-and completely out of context from every point of view-he

> asked, "What is the meaning of life?"

>

> Those who work with the public all day, under high pressure

conditions,

> will understand that I was fried, tired, ready to go home, where I

would

> have a shower, some nourishment, take a few deep breaths, purge my

mind

> of the distractions of the day, and re-inter a more silent and

spiritual

> state of consciousness before retiring for the night.

> That was the plan; that's what my mind was reaching for... And

what's

> wrong with that? We're only human, after all.

>

> What is wrong with that is that even as I heard the question, spoken

> with a slightly different tone of voice, and knew that it was coming

> from a deeper, more real, part of his being, I also knew that I had

> already lost the opportunity.

>

> Although it only took a couple of seconds to get more centered

> again-into a more silent, spacious, God-centered state, from which

I

> might have been able to say something useful, the brief opening had

> already closed. Looking slightly embarrased as though he had said

> something off color, the young man was talking the usual superficial

> nonsense by which our egos so effectively shield themselves from the

> Divine and from our higher Self.

>

> The thought that crossed my mind then was "Eternal vigilance is the

> price of liberty". But, in addition, it is also the price of

effective

> service to others.

>

> So far as my personal sadhana is concerned, I can set aside a

couple of

> times during the day to put distractions on the shelf and think of

God.

> But, if I want to be a servant of the Mother, to do Her work in the

> world, there are no banker's hours. For such a servant of the

Mother,

> for a karma yogi, the metaphor is closer to that of a doctor, with

his

> pager, always on call; or that of a mother with young children-no

> vacations for her! Or even that of a gunfighter in Olde Tomestone

> Territory.

>

> The Divine Mother becomes very demanding if we wish to work for

> Her-leisure time, recreation, superficiality, being too tired to

think

> of God-I can't visualize Her Herself in those indulgent moods. And

so I

> guess She doesn't expect me to indulge in them either. Mothers

always

> teach by example.

>

> And so the words came up: "eternal vigilance is the price of

liberty".

> And, if karma yoga, as the service of the Divine in humanity, is to

> produce one's own liberation, the spiritual goal, as any yoga must,

then

> the quality of the work must be equal to the goal... And that would

> mean, "no vacations".

>

> But, is that such a harsh burdon? Unbroken Presence of God is

itself a

> continuous vacation in the Bahamas. And continuous Presence,

offering

> the Lord the fruits of our work-not once at the end of the day, but

> moment by moment-is all that is required of a karma yogi. Because

> Presence of God ensures the presence of mind, as also the

inspiration,

> to say and do the right thing at the right time. And that is

efficient

> service.

>

> And, for our own realization, being spiritually mindful in every

moment

> is also the way: God is not a respector of persons, nor a respector

of

> time. Our liberating encounter with the Spirit may be waiting for us

> around the next corner, or within the next moment. There are no

rules

> where God is concerned. The curtain may part at any moment, and God

> Himself may look through and say, "What is the meaning of life?"

>

> Tanmaya

>

>

>

>

>

>

> , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai@> wrote:

> >

> >

> > Dear All,

> >

> > Got this email today and wanted to share it with you. It reminds

me of

> > why we pray for Universal peace - it is not just a lofty idea but

a

> > really practical suggestion to help ourselves. When we pray for

> others,

> > we are really praying for ourselves. When we lift others, we are

> really

> > lifting ourselves.

> >

> > Jai Maa

> > Nanda

> >

> > ===================

> >

> > A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer

and his

> > wife open a package.

> >

> > What food might this contain? He was devastated to discover it

was a

> > mousetrap.

> >

> > Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the

warning,"There is

> a

> > mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

> >

> > The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said,"Mr.

> Mouse,

> > I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no

consequence

> > to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

> >

> > The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap

in the

> > house."

> >

> > The pig sympathized but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but

> there

> > is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my

> > prayers."

> >

> > The mouse turned to the cow. She said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm

sorry

> for

> > you but it's no skin off my nose."

> >

> > So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected to

face

> the

> > farmer's mousetrap alone.

> >

> > That very night a sound was heard throughout the house; like the

sound

> > of a mousetrap catching its prey.

> >

> > The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the

darkness, she

> > did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had

caught.

> >

> > The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the

> hospital

> > and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a

fever

> > with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the

> farmyard

> > for the soup's main ingredient.

> >

> > But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came

to

> sit

> > with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the

> pig.

> >

> > The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people

came for

> > her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide

enough

> > meat for all of them.

> >

> > So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think

it

> > doesn't concern you, remember when one of us is threatened, we

are all

> > at risk.

> >

> > In the book of Genesis, Cain said this about Abel, his brother,

to our

> > God: "Am I my brother's keeper?"

> >

> > We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an

eye

> > out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one

another.

> >

> > REMEMBER: EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S

> TAPESTRY;

> > OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

> >

> >

> > ~Author Unknown~

> > =========================

> >

>