Namaste, Welcome to SAM-VAD (Together In Conversation), as we begin today ‘let us remember this about ‘Attention’.
Our life experience would ultimately amount to whatever we had paid attention to. Attention: is important and most of the times we are so indifferent to it. It is as fundamental as food; and we go blundering about, seeking ways to assuage the craving, instead of learning how to provide ourselves with what we need, sensibly and calmly. Once the mechanism is brought to our attention and we begin to study it, it is as if a veil has been stripped off ordinary life, and we become freer in our action and choices.
This week I bring to your attention a tale titled ‘Greed, Obligement and Impossibility’ from the book titled ‘The Magic Monastery’.
The Magic Monastery is rich in thought-provoking material, and can be read and enjoyed at many levels. It is also designed as a course in non-linear thinking.
Greed, Obligement and Impossibility
A Sufi said:
None can understand man until he realises the connection between greed, obligement and impossibility?
This said his disciple, ‘is a conundrum which I cannot understand.’
The Sufi said:
Never look for understanding through conundrums when you can attain it through experience.
He took the disciple to a shop in the nearby market, where robes were sold.
‘Show me your very best robe;’ said the Sufi to the shopkeeper, ‘for I am in a mood to spend excessively.’ A most beautiful garment was produced, and an extremely high price was asked for it.
It is very much the kind of thing I would like, said the Sufi, but I would like some sequins around the collar, and a touch of fur trimming.’
Nothing easier,’ said the seller of robes, for I have just such a garment in the workroom of my shop.’ He disappeared for a few moments, and then returned, having added the fur and sequins to the self-same garment.
‘And how much is this one?’ asked the Sufi.
Twenty times the price of the first one, said the shopkeeper.
‘Excellent,’ said the Sufi, I shall take both of them.’
Tale from ‘The Magic Monastery’ by Idries Shah
I am sure that you will enjoy reading this book; you can buy your copy from the following link:
Enjoy reading it with your family, friends and near and dear one’s.
Before concluding today’s episode please pay attention to these words of a Storyteller.
My stories require, at this stage, no extra commentary, imaginings, or guesswork by you, me, or anyone else. The very worst would be that of moralizing. To explain away is to forget. Thus, let the stories which you can remember do their own work by their very diversity. Familiarize yourself with them.
Namaste!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS