FROM PUTTAPARTHI...SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT - 51: THE BITTER TASTE OF LIFE !!!

[Guest guest]

THE BITTER TASTE OF LIFE!!!

An experienced & wise master grew tired of his apprentice complaining. One morning he sent the apprentice for some salt.

When the apprentice returned, the master instructed the unhappy young man to put a handful of salt in a glass of water and drink it.

" How does it taste? " the master asked.   

" Bitter, " spit the apprentice.

The master chuckled and then asked the young man to put a handful of Salt in the lake nearby.

The two walked to the nearby lake. After the apprentice swirled his handful of salt into the water, the old man said, " Now drink from the lake...”

As the water dripped down the young man's chin, the master asked, " Now How does this taste? "

" Fresh & Sweet " remarked the apprentice.

" Do you taste the salt? " asked the master.

" No, " said the young man.

At this, the master sat beside the young man who so reminded him of himself at one time and held his hands. 

He told the young man, " The pain of life is pure salt; no more, no less.

The amount of pain in life remains exactly the same. However, the amount of bitterness we taste depends on the container we put the pain in.

PS: The bumble bee can bore a hole in the hardest of the wood. But, when dusk intervenes while it is sipping the nectar from the lotus flower and as a result when the open petals close in on the bee, it finds itself imprisoned with no hope of escape.  It does not know how to deal with softness. So too, the mind can play its tricks and jump about on any arena. When placed on the Lotus Feet of the Lord, it becomes inactive and harmless. To offer the mind entirely to the Lord, deep detachment from worldly desires is needed. Superficial devotion or shallow steadfastness cannot succeed. SWAMI