Listening & Understanding

Namaste, Welcome to SAM-VAD (Together In Conversation), as we begin today ‘let us remember, ‘What we give our Attention to matters.’

Our life’s experience would ultimately amount to whatever we had paid attention to. Attention: is important and most of the times we are 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 our attention is drawn to the mechanism of why and what we give attention to, it is as if a veil has been stripped off and we become freer in our action and choices.

This week I bring to your attention a tale titled ‘The Half-Blind King’ from the book titled ‘Knowing How to Know’. It is a collection of Tales, stories, fables, aphorisms and statements that draw our attention to the basic factors that must be in place so that knowledge and understanding is acquired.

It reveals concealed pattern, normally invisible to our customary modes of thought.

The Half-Blind King

Once upon the time there was a king who desired his portrait painted. He was blind in one eye.

The King invited the three greatest royal portraitists in the world to paint his picture, saying: ‘If you do a bad portrait, I shall punish you; but if you do a good one, I shall reward you beyond your dreams.

The first painter produced a picture which showed the King’s eye to be blind. The King had him executed for disrespect.

The second painter showed the King’s eyes as perfect. The King had him thrashed for falsification.

The third painter, however, pictured the King in profile, showing only his good eye.

This man was made the official portraitist, and heaped with gold and honours.

Tale  from ‘Knowing How to Know’ 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.

Namaste!