Light bulb

Once there was a young man who worked at a factory. His mentor, an old technician, taught him to talk less, do more, and never stop developing his skills in every aspect of the factory’s operation.

Ten years later, the old man retired, and the young man became a technician himself. He continued to do his work with the same dedication and diligence as he was taught.

One day, he visited with his mentor. The old man saw that he seemed unhappy, and asked what was troubling him.

The young man sighed and poured his heart out: “I have been following your instructions exactly all these years. No matter what I work on, I keep quiet and focus on the job. I know I have done good work at the factory, and I have learned all the skills that can be learned there. What I don’t understand is that the guys who don’t have my experience or capabilities have all been promoted, while I am still making as little as I did before, when I was your apprentice.

The old man asked: “Are you positive that you have become indispensable to the factory?”

The young man nodded: “Yes.”

The old man paced back and forth to think. After a while, he turned to the young man: “You must request a day off, using whatever reason you like. It’s time for you to give yourself a break.”

The young man was surprised by this advice, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. He thanked his teacher and left quickly to make a time-off request.

When he returned to work after his day off, the Manager called him into the office to tell him that things did not go well at the factory while he was gone. Others encountered many problems that normally would be handled by him, and they had no idea how to solve them. Realizing his importance, the Manager decided to promote him to the position of Senior Technician, to thank him and encourage him to keep up the good work.

The young man was grateful for his mentor’s wisdom. Surely, he thought, this was the secret to success!

From that point on, whenever the young man felt like he deserved more than what he was getting, he would take a day off. When he came back the next day, the situation would improve to his satisfaction.

This pattern continued for months. One day, the young man found that he was blocked from going into the factory. Much to his shock, he found out that his employment was terminated. He could not believe it. Not knowing what else to do, he went back to see his mentor, to try to figure out how things had gone so wrong.

“Why did I lose my job?” he asked with much wounded pride. “Did I not do everything as you instructed?”

“Actually, you did not, because you heard only half the lesson,” the old man shook his head. “You understood right away that no one pays any attention to a light bulb that is always on. It is only when it goes off that people suddenly take notice and realize they’ve been taking it for granted. You were so eager to apply this understanding that you left before hearing the second half.”

“Second half?” it began to dawn on the young man that perhaps he made a big mistake. “What was the second half?”

The mentor spoke slowly to make his point: “The second half, more important than the first, is the realization that if a light bulb goes off frequently, then sooner or later it will be replaced with one that is more reliable. Who wants a light bulb that no one can count on to provide illumination?”

One teaching we can immediately extract from this story is about the light bulb that is constantly on. Are there friends and loved ones in your life who are like the light bulb, always giving light but never really noticed by anyone? Have you taken them for granted because of their constant, reliable presence? What if they are no longer there one day?

Do not wait for such a day to suddenly realize how important they are. Give thanks today for the good fortune of having them in your life. Let them know you are thinking of them and send them an expression of your gratitude.

Also, think about how this teaching applies to you. Are you like the light bulb yourself, always on and therefore taken for granted?

Only a difference of thought

Once upon a time in ancient China, there lived a sage who was known for his ability to solve difficult problems. One day, he had two visitors who needed his advice. Both were polite young men, and each insisted that the other should go first. After some discussion, they discovered that their questions were essentially the same, so they settled on speaking with the sage at the same time.

One of the young men asked: “Master, our problems are similar. We are both low-level employees being treated badly at work. We get no respect at all, and our employers constantly push us around. Can you please tell us if we should quit our jobs?”

The sage closed his eyes and meditated at length. The two young men waited patiently, until finally the sage opened his eyes. He gave them the answer in five words: “Only a bowl of rice.”

The two young men thanked the sage and departed. They contemplated the answer as they walked back to the city. After a while, one of them broke the silence: “That was interesting. What do you think the sage meant?”

The other one was thoughtful: “Well, it’s fairly obvious that the bowl of rice represents our daily meals.”

“I agree,” said the first young man. “I think he was telling us that the job is nothing more than a means to make a living.”

“Yes, when you come right down to it, that’s all we get out of the job — our daily meals.”

They went their separate ways. One of them continued working at the same place. The other one submitted a letter of resignation immediately upon his return. He went home to the countryside and took up farming.

After several years, this young man achieved considerable success as a farmer. He used what he had learned in the city to import high quality seeds. The fruits and vegetables he grew became known as the best in the region. He enjoyed not only great profits, but also a reputation as an expert.

The young man who remained at work also did well. It was as if he became a different person. He took on difficult tasks and demonstrated an ability to handle adversity. He rose up through the ranks and received one promotion after another, until he became a manager.

One day, the two of them met again by chance. Once they got caught up with one another, they realized that they had taken two very different paths — based on the exact same answer from the sage. They were both wealthy and happy, but which path was the correct one?

“How strange!” the manager was puzzled. “The Master said the same thing to us, and we both heard it the same way. Why did you quit?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” the farmer was also puzzled. “I understood his words immediately. The job was nothing more than the means to get my daily meals, so why force myself to stay in a horrible situation just for a bowl of rice? Quitting was obviously the right thing to do. Why did you stay?”

“I also think it should be obvious,” the manager laughed. “The job meant nothing more than a bowl of rice, so why was I getting so worked up over it? As soon as I understood this, I realized there was no need for me to get so upset. I did not have to take the abuse heaped on me personally, so of course I stayed. Isn’t that what he meant?”

“Now I am completely confused,” the farmer shook his head. “Did he mean for us to take your path or my path? Let’s go see him again and get to the bottom of this.”

Once again they presented themselves before the sage and explained the reason for their visit. “As you can see, Master, we would really like to know the real meaning of your advice all those years ago. Can you give us some insights?”

Again the sage closed his eyes. The two men waited patiently as before. After a spell, the sage opened his eyes and gave them his answer… again in five words: “Only a difference of thought.”

Upon hearing this story, some may think it does not have a proper ending. The sage did not say which was the right path. Doesn’t this make the story ambiguous? How can we learn anything from it?

But  I  feel .. the ambiguity is the point . The two young men took paths that seemed diametrically opposite (staying versus quitting), and yet both achieved the same dream (wealth and happiness). In a similar way, we all have our own paths to follow, and even the paths that appear to have little in common can nevertheless lead us toward the same destination

.

The second, and more important lesson from the story is exactly as the sage expressed: one small difference in thought can make a huge difference in life. Both young men in the story made the right decision, but this was a stroke of luck. It does not mean all paths are equally correct. Although we can take countless different roads to reach the same destination, there are just as many roads that take us further away. One decision to turn left or right at an intersection can mean the difference between arriving safely and being hopelessly lost., the sage pointed to the power of a single thought making a single choice. We may not think of this as being important, but it is a lever that has the potential to move the world and change your life.

Only a difference of thought. That’s really all it takes. One impulse, one idea, one decision with convection  and  faith  can change everything

three scholars

Once, there was a gathering of three old friends. They were all scholars leading busy lives, but they made it a point to meet once a year to make sure they would always stay in touch with one another.

This time, the gathering felt different. They were all getting old and starting to feel their age. Sensing this, the first scholar remarked: “We are all here together this year, enjoying each other’s company, but who can say with certainty if we will all be able to come back and be together again next year?”

The second scholar laughed: “Next year? I think you may be looking too far ahead and assuming too much. Today I am alive, but who can say with certainty if tomorrow I will open my eyes to greet another day?”

They turned to the third scholar, who had been quiet. He looked up at them thoughtfully, and said: “Tomorrow? My friends, as I sit here with you, I do not know if each breath I draw will be my last. Who can say with certainty if one breath will be followed by another?”

This story is short but deeply meaningful. It points to how uncertain and impermanent life really is. We are all alive right now — but we can never know how long we will remain thus.

The first scholar measured life in terms of years, as most people do. When we talk about age, we think about the number of years we have lived. When someone passes away, we make references to his or her lifespan. The number of years is also how we measure our most significant milestones in life, like education (years of schooling), career (years of experience in an industry) and marriage (years marked by wedding anniversaries).

The second scholar pointed out that this measurement did not accurately reflect how fleeting life was. A year seems like a long time to the human mind, so we may think we still have plenty of time, and we can look forward to many more years down the road. The truth is that we may not have many years or even one year ahead of us. There is always the possibility that everything will suddenly come to an end in a matter of days, or even in just one day.

The third scholar spoke the most powerful truth of all. Ultimately, the transience of life is not measured in years or days. Rather, it flows from one moment to the next. We simply do not know how many minutes or seconds we still possess. We hope everything will continue on indefinitely, but it can all fade to black instantly, without warning. Therefore, every minute, indeed every second we experience is a gift beyond compare, something we should cherish and appreciate.

Through the friendship of the three scholars, this story also makes it clear that our connections to one another are just as precious as the gift of life. Our beloved friends and family members are the ones who make this transient existence worthwhile. We should never take them for granted, just as we should never take the present moment for granted.

Everything the three scholars said apply to the presence of loved ones in our lives. Sometimes we see them as fixtures, as if they will always be there. We expect, at the very least, to have them with us for years to come. This is why the loss of a loved one always comes as such a shock. How can it be that they are not around anymore? What about the many more years that we expected to spend with them?

It is as the second scholar pointed out — thinking in terms of years may be assuming too much. Perhaps we will only have them around for a few more days, and perhaps even thinking in terms of days is too optimistic. No one can guarantee that these special people will be around from one moment to the next. Sometimes, life seems tenacious and persistent; other times, it seems like a candle flame, ready to flicker out of existence in the wind.

The present moment is the perfect time to reflect on the blessing of having family, friends and relatives in your life. Just as every moment spent being alive is gift beyond compare, so is every moment spent being with them. Enjoy their company and treasure their presence while you still can.

admire not imitate

Admire, don’t imitate

Tosui was a well-known Zen teacher of his time. He had lived in several temples and taught in various provinces.

The last temple he visited accumulated so many adherents that Tosui told them he was going to quit the lecture business entirely. He advised them to disperse and to go wherever they desired  and  chalk  their  own path . After that no one could find any trace of him.

Three years later one of his disciples  who  always  imitated  and  literally  worshipped  this  Guru  discovered him living with some beggars under a bridge in Kyoto. He at once implored Tosui to teach him  and  requested him  to  stay   with  him

“If you can do as I do for even a couple of days, I might,” Tosui replied.but he cautioned this disciple  to admire  him if  he  wishes  but  not  blindly  follow  and imitate him  for  that this  disciple readly  agreed

So the former disciple dressed as a beggar spent a day with Tosui. The following day one of the beggars died. Tosui and his pupil carried the body off at midnight and buried it on a mountainside. After that they returned to their shelter under the bridge.

Tosui slept soundly the remainder of the night, but the disciple could not sleep. Next  morning  Tosui said: “We do not have to beg food today. Our dead friend has left some over there and  you  know he died while  having  his  food .” hearing  this  the disciple was shocked and  unable to eat a single bite of it.

“I have warned  you not imitate all  my  moves blindly ,” concluded Tosui. “Get out of here and chalk  your  own path and  do not bother me  again ,allow  me  to live  the way  I  want and yes  one  word  of  advice   never  imitate  any one  blindly as every  person is unique in  this  world and  you  cannot  be  a  carbon  copy

.  similar incident happened in  great Shankaracharya  life ,He  observed  that few  disciples  were  blindly  imitating  him  and  so  our  great  Acharya  wanted  to teach  them a  lesson .It  so  happened  once while he was travelling with his disciples he was offered alcohol to drink. He drank it. So all  disciples  simply imitated him . Soon after, he came across a black smith who was melting metal. Shankara drank some of the molten metal as well astonishing his disciples. His message to his disciples was, don’t  blindly  imitate  me and  follow   all   my  teachings but understand in  your  own way  and follow  if  you  feel so only after you  are  convinced   . I could drink alcohol or  molten iron  as nothing affects me. Until you can reach this stage you still have to learn  a lot and  not  follow  me blindly .”

Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.” 
― Samuel Johnson, The Rambler

Admiring someone is natural. To admire is to have a high opinion of someone; there’s nothing wrong with that. When we admire without imitating, we simply learn from others, and pick up their positive traits, without consciously trying to be like them.Trouble begins only when our admiration turns us into blind imitators, or it blurs our vision and makes us forget our own uniqueness. Then we become, in the words of swami vivekanda , “second-rate versions of somebody else,” instead of first-rate versions of ourselves.It is imperative for us to acknowledge that talents differ from one individual to another, and so do abilities. We are all especially gifted. In doing so, we may look up to many great individuals who have achieved success in their spheres. But, we do not have to pattern our lives on them to feel happy and fulfilled ..Our true fulfilment lies in being able to discover and, then, live the life we want to live. To do that, it is imperative to identify “who we really are.” Not how  other want  us  be.. as one  philopher says , “If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise.” You are YOU , and why should you be someone else? Be yourself, and live your life, not someone else’s. When you’re true to yourself, you live the life that serves your highest purpose. While on this path, when you make mistakes, they are your own. You learn from them, and progress, but you’ll also feel fulfilled and self-actualised on the way. The next time you find yourself comparing and emulating a hero, or a celebrity, or anyone else, just remember the title of the book by John Mason: You Were Born an Original. Don’t Die a Copy!

Do not repeat after me words that you do not understand. Do not merely put on a mask of my ideas, for it will be an illusion and you will thereby deceive yourself.” 
― Jiddu Krishnamurti

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                          

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orphanage

What could be nobler than spending time with kids at an orphanage, right? The smile that greets you when you enter their home, makes for a better picture than any camera could capture.
You generally think that such a visit will bring joy to these children. In reality perhaps, your visit to an orphanage gives you more than it gives the kids. The innocence of their world leaves your soul churning. Imagine When you meet a three-year-old boy, and learn that he has inherited HIV from his dead parents, you find yourself questioning if god exists.
They know they have a bimari, a disease that ripped them away from their families and made them orphans.
They appear overjoyed when you give them gifts. Some love it when you read them stories. When they fall asleep on your lap, you don’t want to move till they wake up.
When you sit with them, and talk to them, you become their window to the ‘normal’ world. “Where do you work? How much do you earn? Do you have kids? Where do you live? How big is your home?” They ask all sort of questions.
But the real questions that they are seeking answers for, lie hidden in their hearts – “Can I also do what you do, when I grow up? Can I also live how you live?
You think, a visit from you makes ample difference to their simple lives. But what if, instead of making a difference, we end up making them realise that they are different?
This was long back probally 10 years back One Sunday, a friend and I decided to sponsor lunch for an orphanage that houses around 30 less privileged kids.
We arrived at the orphanage at around 11am. There was a birthday party going on. What I saw that day really moved me.
The birthday girl was dressed in a pink princess dress with a glittering tiara on her head. She was being spoilt silly by her parents. She looked very happy as she cut cake and handed out gifts, while her parents took her pictures.
But then there were the less privileged kids. The orphans, for whom this birthday treat was supposed to bring joy, were sitting around her wearing forced expressions.
Imagine, you only get a Sunday to get up late, not go to school, and play all day. But on this day every week, strangers come to your home, to enjoy their birthdays and anniversaries.
These kids were made to sing the birthday song. They sang without any emotion, as if it was a routine they played out every weekend. They posed for the pictures with a manufactured smile.
Many kids in that orphanage have been abandoned by their family . The way these children looked at the birthday girl being pampered by her family spoke everything they couldn’t say. They wished they could be her. No one celebrated their birthdays after all.
They were very happy to receive gifts and chocolates though. I offered my chocolate to a little boy sitting beside me and he refused saying, neevu en tintira ?” (what will you eat?). Tears welled up in my eyes.
Many of us celebrate our or our children’s birthdays in an orphanage with good intentions. Some of us do it to make our children develop empathy. While our intentions are noble, it can be less than pleasant for these kids.
By celebrating our birthdays at an orphanage, we make orphans feel even more like orphans.
Here’s a thought - instead of celebrating your birthday with them, why not celebrate theirs

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charity

Do you want to live an exciting life. One thing I have been advised to do to live an exciting life is to help others with expecting anything in return. Imagine the people you would meet if you would hold the door open to strangers. Imagine the people you would meet if you gave a smile to a stranger. Little acts of kindness make the world a happier place.

It does not matter what you do or who you are there are people around you that could do with your help. When you do help do not view the act of help as a deposit that you expect back something in return. Just help and write off any expectations of return. Help your friends, help your colleagues and help strangers.

According to Bhagwad Geeta, there is a famous saying that all the living beings on this earth have come empty handed and they will go back empty handed. They brought nothing of their own and they will take along nothing. Everything that they have built is going to be left behind when they leave this world. But still, human mind aspires, to achieve money, glory, power and success. Sometimes, the aspirations and desires grow to the levels of obsession and hence they eliminate the difference between right and wrong. They simply work hard to achieve whatever it takes to become the ultimate conqueror of the world.

But the question is that what should be done? Should people work hard to achieve the best of what they want or they should understand the truth about this world? What would help them to become a better human being? There is a wonderful story that talks about that in detail:

According to Jainism, in heaven, there is a parallel mountain to Himalayas, which is called Sumeru. It is the highest ever mountain and is made of Gold. It is studded with precious diamonds, rubies and other jewels. Whoever conquers the world gets the honor to engrave his name on this mountain after his death and departure to heaven, as a symbol of glory.

It happens only once in a thousand years that someone gets to become a Chakravartin aka conqueror of the world. Even alexander the great was not the conqueror of the world. This is a story about a Chakravartin, who had conquered the world and got a chance to go to the Sumeru Mountain up in the heaven to engrave his name.

As he reached there, with his prime minister, his wife and his commander-in-chief, to write his name, he was stopped by the gatekeeper, who suggested him to go alone. But, the king was adamant to take his people along because they had sacrificed their lives to come along with him and he wanted them to see his name glorified on the golden mountain. But, the king agreed to go alone to write his name first and then call the three in to see it as suggested by the gatekeeper. As he reached inside, he was stunned to see that there was no space for him to write a name. He was confused and he asked the gatekeeper about it. The gatekeeper told him that the mountain had been there for eternity and if he had to write his name, he would have to erase someone else’s name and write his own. This is what had been happening for eternity, as per the gatekeeper. The king decided to not write his name by erasing someone else’s because he knew this would happen to his name also, one day. He understood that there’s nothing in name and fame.

Humans are here on the earth to work, do their karma and they should never run away from that. They should work hard and relish all the enjoyments without growing obsessed to it. They should understand that everything that they have created is going to stay here. Hence, they should never be proud of creating anything. They should be humble and intelligent enough to not look for credits for their work. They should know that whatever they have done has been done before.. and remember this great saying by Charles Dicken

"There were two classes of charitable people: one, the people who did a little and made a great deal of noise; the other, the people who did a great deal and made no noise at all."