The Blindness Metaphor

Enlightenment, Metaphors,

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Enlightenment is a sometimes equated to a blind man being able to see. Let us understand what this means.

We see many things with our eyes. We can see the tree across the road, we can see the bird flying in the sky and we can see people around us. What is it that we cannot see? Does enlightenment seeing something more than what normal people are able to see?

There are two perspectives from which we can understand blindness. First is inability to see the big picture. We usually consider everything we see as separate from us. We do not perceive the unity of everything. We – plants, trees, animals, humans – are all immersed in the earth’s atmosphere. We all breathe the same air and it is one whole single system. If all the trees disappeared one day, we will not have oxygen to breathe. If one species disappears, it leads to the disappearance of other connected species. Because we do not see this interconnectedness, we are blind to that extent. We do not understand the consequences of our actions and continue to take actions which harm us, even if that is not our intention.

The second perspective is inability to see the small picture. We think all the things around us are static. They do change but only gradually over a long time. But that is not the case in reality. Everything is changing very very rapidly all the time. We simply cannot perceive it. The growth of a flower, the decay of our brain, the movement of clouds, everything is happening, changing at every moment. We think we meet the same person everyday but that is not the case. So when the person behaves differently, we get a shock. We are not prepared for the change because we do not see that change happening in front of us.

Both these limitations of our perspectives makes us blind even if we are able to see everything. When our mind accepts that things are changing all the time and everything is connected to everything else, it is alert in every situation. It begins to see what it could not see earlier.

What Are You Saying?

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Today is a great day for a long drive.

What does that sentence mean? Is it a fact? Or an inference or a judgment? Do we understand the difference between these three characteristics of our day to day communication? When we communicate, do we realize how these things affect our moods and our clarity of understanding? Understanding what is a fact, what is an inference and what is a judgment is easy in a classroom setting but in daily life, it demands acute attention from the person who is listening or reading. Without being aware of these distinctions, it is easy to get swayed by what people say. So please pay attention to how you encounter these qualities in everyday communication.

Let us start with some definitions

  • A fact is a piece of information that one has seen, read, heard, which is open to discovery or verification.
  • An inference is a conclusion about the unknown based on the known.
  • A judgment is an opinion that implies approval or disapproval of a person, object, situation or occurrence.

 

Example 1: Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella has warned that embracing Artificial Intelligence without reskilling people will have an impact on jobs.

Now this sentence is not a fact because you cannot go and verify it at least now. So it is a conclusion about the unknown based on the known. So it is an inference. It may turn out that way or it may not turn out that way. It is an educated expert inference coming from Microsoft chief so it is likely that it may turn out that way in the future.

However, someone might comment – I’m afraid AI will end all traditional jobs. This is not a fact, neither an inference. It is a judgment, an opinion. If you happen to hear this statement first, what would be your reaction? Will you be scared of losing your job? If you are listening carefully and notice that the statement seems like an opinion, you might want to inquire further why that person feels that way.

Example 2: One of our most unfortunate national traits is to adore a few visible successes, and ignore the unglamorous need to improve the fundamentals.

What is this if not a judgment? Is it a fact that can be verified? Can you go and measure a national trait? You cannot. Is it an inference about anything unknown? No. It is clearly a judgment. It is very easy to get influenced by a judgment if one does not attempt to verify the underlying facts or inferences.

Let’s say we list the facts. We sent 100+ satellites in orbit in a single rocket. We still have school children in the 5th standard in a few schools who cannot add or subtract. Now both these facts are true. They can be verified. What inference can you draw from them?

All I am asking you is to listen carefully when you listen to others or read anything – whether it is a fact or an inference or a judgment.

A doctor checks that your body temperature is 102 degree Fahrenheit. This is a fact. He may arrive at an inference that you have a viral infection based on his experience. But if he says – you do not take care of your health, then it is a judgment. It is his personal opinion on the matter. There is no compulsion for you or others to accept another person’s judgment.

All this while we looked at some examples which were maybe not relevant. But now let’s come closer home.

Example 3: When asked to submit a status report on a project, we usually comment, it is going well, client is happy.

Can you see what’s wrong in this? A report was asked for but a judgment was expressed. Judgments are most of the time useless. You cannot take a decision based on a judgment. What is important is facts and the expert inferences we can draw from those facts. Would it be better to state – We brought down the number of bugs from 300 to 25 over the last 2 months and client sent an appreciation email. But he wants to get the final delivery by month end and we are short of 1 resource. All this information can be verified. Now, an inference can be drawn about the unknown from this known that it would be possible to meet the deadline if 2 resources work on the weekend. There is no need for any judgment anywhere.

Many times we do not share facts because we are afraid that other people will judge us from them. But if we realize that judgements do not follow a logic, they are personal opinions which need not be taken seriously, then we will have the freedom to share facts. It is possible one person can draw a different inference from the same data set as compared to another. It happens all the time. Seeing the symptoms, one doctor might diagnose viral infection and another bacterial infection. Further tests would clarify that.

I can give many more examples but I believe the above would have succeeded in conveying my core message about keeping to facts as much as possible, developing your ability to draw right inferences and avoiding judgments at all costs. Watch for these in your speech and in other’s speech.

Now a quick quiz. What do you think about the starting sentence of this article? Is it a fact or an inference or a judgment?

Please share your views in the comments

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Meditation is said to be turning inwards or looking within.

Inside and outside are concepts. By saying “look within”, one creates confusion because where is inside? It is assumed that inside means the mind. Is the mind really inside? Inside what – the body or the brain?

‘Look within’ makes one look inside the brain and gives rise to the notion of a boundary between the inner and the outer… roughly at the skin. Therefore if you try to look within, you will get lost.

Instead, do away with the notions of inner and outer, inside and outside. Meditation then is the observation of the process of observation or the instrument of observation… which is neither in nor out.

The Waking Up Metaphor

Enlightenment, Metaphors,

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The experience of enlightenment is many times compared to waking up from sleep. There are some similarities but it is not wholly so. But the metaphor is very good for understanding.

When we are sleeping, we see dreams and in the dreams what we see is experienced as quite real. Sometimes, we are running from some danger, sometimes we see snakes, sometimes we are riding a horse, sometimes we see our friends, sometimes have sex, sometimes eat food and it is experienced as real. We can wake up perspiring from a dream. We can even have conversations with people in our dreams. It all seems so real at the moment and we are immersed in it.

But the moment we wake up, the dream is gone. We cannot deny our experience. The dream was definitely real. It really happened whether it was because of the jiggling of our brain cells or some nerves doing a dance, whatever it was, it did happen. Yet, from the perspective of our waking life, it did not happen. You fell down from a cliff in your dream but you woke up in your bed. So you did not fall down and hurt yourself.

This is a similar to what happens in enlightenment but not entirely. When enlightenment strikes you, you feel like you have woken up from a dream. Whatever is your story in life – where you were born, where you studied, whom you married, and what jobs you did all seem like a dream. They did happen for sure. You can still see your wife or the window and the cars on the road. Yet there is a definite sense in which they are not wife, window, road and cars. They are definitely not that.

The whole story of your life suddenly seems like a dream. Were you really born, did you study, did you get married, did you just come back from office? You can see the evidence surely but question the story, the interpretation.

From the perspective of enlightenment, you can see colors, hear sounds, feel objects but you are not bothered whether people call it a green color or say it is the sound of a plane or say the cushion is soft. It is as it is. It could not be otherwise.

Therefore enlightenment is called waking up. To this extent it is fine. But the difference is in the fact that you are still talking to people, walking around your home, driving your car, drinking coffee and watching TV. People speak to you and you speak to them. So the dream is still on, you are in it yet you realize it is as it is. You don’t get caught in the dream and take it seriously. You see other people sleep walking, sleep talking, living in their dreams and therefore a natural compassion develops towards them.

How to wake up? Watch yourself and see how you are going about in your life – the way you talk, the way you do things, the way your work, your habits, your internal justifications, your thoughts, your reactions to people and things, your likes and dislikes. These are all in your dream. If you are able to see yourself dream-living like this, you will surely wake up.

Enlightenment – What, Why, How?

Enlightenment

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Enlightenment is the birthright of all human beings. It can be understood, attained or experienced by all those with a sincere wish for it. Every human being must seek it, strive for it and experience it. It gives the basis from which to live life. Enlightenment cannot be given by one to another. It is not to be found in words, phrases, or mantras. It is not to be found in rituals or specific practices like meditation. It does not have a preference for age, gender, designation or wealth of the seeker. Enlightenment has no recipe.

Enlightenment cannot be understood in isolation. Setting the context is important. In our busy lives, we do not get the time, neither do we wish to devote ourselves to knowing more about ourselves and the phenomenon of life and death. There are various influences we are subjected to in our daily lives – family, company, society, media, neighborhood, international affairs, environment, human behavior of all kinds, spirituality, science, religion, books, music and also our own thoughts. In this kichdi, how do you separate the spice from the rice and dal?

If one is naturally inclined towards deeply understanding life and one’s place in the universe then one must create the space and time for the inquiry. The objective is not to adopt any specific line of thinking. It is not about letting go of somethings and forcibly pushing any beliefs down one’s throat. The objective is more to understand the field in which we are playing the game of life.

Hearing and reading about enlightenment is just the starting point. To make any progress, one must be able to grapple with it, turn it over in one’s mind, evaluate one’s own understanding of life, and see the motivations behind one’s actions. When one gives a serious look at his life, at the human condition or at the feasibility of enlightenment, many questions arise in the mind.

How to attain enlightenment, which guru is best, which path is easiest, is it really worth spending the time and effort and so on.

Luckily there are ready answers available from a variety of sources, ancient to modern. But these answers do not help much. It is like eating a full dinner yet feeling hungry at the end. But that is not what is happening. The answers are at best the description of the food items like what nutrients are contained in it. Reading these answers is not going to fill your stomach. You will have to eat the food.

HOW TO INQUIRE?

Inquiry takes place when you raise a serious question but not seek an instant answer. It takes place when you hear answers but do not accept any particular one and close your inquiry. You know that all the answers are not going to satisfy you. So you watch, observe and listen. Watching, observing and listening is the process of eating food. Once food goes in the stomach, it does its work automatically. Similarly once you start observing and listening, understanding will happen.

Some important themes that can be taken up for inquiry are the following. These themes are found to be more conducive in bringing about an insight.

  • Self
  • Time
  • Things
  • Concepts
  • Fear
  • Love
  • Death
  • Purpose

Everything that is needed for enlightenment is available within you. Clues, hints, and explanations have been left by those who have been enlightened in all ages. Read, refer, observe, listen, think, contemplate, chew on it with your mind, evaluate it in your daily life.

Life is short and busy. Death is certain sooner or later. Why die without discovering the great mystery of who you really are? Don’t wait for tomorrow.

MAY YOU GET ENLIGHTENED!

Enlightenment 101

Enlightenment

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The chief difficulty in speaking about enlightenment is the inherent impotence of language to describe it. People have used many words, have spoken about it, have written books on it but neither words nor paragraphs or even whole books can ever describe enlightenment. This is the first quality of enlightenment which must be understood for further discussions about this topic.

So what exactly is enlightenment? Who is it for?
What is in it for me? Tell me why I should be interested in it?
If I get enlightened, how can I expect my life to change?
What should I do to get enlightened?
If it is such a good thing, why is it not taught in schools and colleges?
Why should I believe what you say about enlightenment?

All these are good questions which I expect any rational person to ask when told about the possibility of enlightenment. So here we come to the second quality. Enlightenment is a purely personal experience (1). There are no standards for measuring or confirming enlightenment (2). Neither is enlightenment a matter of belief and faith. It is the very opposite of that. To begin to understand enlightenment, it is essential to approach the topic without any preconceived conclusions and with the attitude of testing it’s implications in one’s own life. After all, enlightenment means the lighting the inner lamp with which you can see for yourself and not depend blindly on another person’s explanation.

WHAT IS ENLIGHTENMENT?

Enlightenment, Awakening or Self Realization has always been associated with saints and sages – those who left the worldly life and dedicated themselves to spiritual practices, meditation, attaining higher consciousness and to the service of people. It has always been thought that enlightenment is not for the common man. It has been considered to be at odds with living in the world. To attain enlightenment, you need to put in superhuman efforts at the cost of your family and a comfortable life. Those who express an inclination towards the spiritual are treated as different people, even thought of as abnormal people. Families will do everything to keep their sons and daughters from seeking enlightenment.

To a large extent, such attitudes are warranted. People who seek enlightenment usually behave as if they are special and many times make a show of being unattached to material things, stop supporting their families or display extreme devotion to their particular brand of philosophy. Some of them may dress weirdly or speak weirdly. So the rest of the world thinks they are not normal and want to run away from them and whatever they symbolize which is enlightenment.

So what is it about enlightenment that makes it such a scary thing to some people and such a desirable thing for some others? Why is it that some people will do everything to run away from it? Why is it that some people will give up everything to attain it?

Enlightenment is an instantaneous experience – an AHA moment – that happens. It is an experience of another dimension, not the linear dimension that we are used to in our daily lives. While those who have experienced it hesitate to describe it because of a loss of words for it, many describe it as a feeling of being one with everything, having dissolved all distinctions.

For enlightenment to happen, conditions have to be right. Conditions can be created but it does not guarantee enlightenment. In that sense, the mystery surrounding enlightenment is valid. But a lot many things have to be understood and a lot many understandings have to be thrown away before a person can be ready for experiencing enlightenment.

Enlightenment is a difficult subject to talk about. However, the difficulty lies in not realizing that it is not a concept but an experience. For human beings, I say that enlightenment is their birthright. It is an event with far greater significance and impact than graduation or marriage or parenthood. It’s significance simply cannot be compared. It is literally like dying or being born again. It is the natural evolution of human being’s psyche.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Enlightenment is the sole purpose of human birth. Anyone with a sincere wish for it can understand and experience enlightenment. Every human being must inquire into it, seek it, strive for it and experience it. Enlightenment gives the basis from which to live life. It answers all of life’s questions on happiness, sadness, struggle, love, beauty, knowledge and god.

Consider this analogy. A tree brings forth leaves, flowers and fruits. While the leaves are many, the fruits and flowers are few. We grow a tree for the fruits, not the leaves. The leaves have their function which is essential, without which the fruits and flowers will not appear at all. Yet, the fruits define the tree (3). Fruits are the highest level of evolution in the tree because they have the power to create a new tree. Similarly, enlightened people are like the fruits of humanity. Enlightenment is the sole purpose of being born a human being. We can live the life of ordinary leaves, taking in carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen, which is essential for the survival of the tree. Yet the possibility of becoming a delicious fruit or a fragrant flower is there for everyone.

Here we come across the third quality of enlightenment. It cannot be given by one to another. It is a matter of self-realization. It is right when they say that there are many ways to enlightenment. To be precise there are as many ways as there are people. Each gets enlightened in his particular way, from his or her own conditions.

Age does not matter. Enlightenment can happen in youth or old age. Gender does not matter. Enlightenment can happen to males or females. Class does not matter. The rich can be enlightened and the poor can also be enlightened. The only requirement is a sincere desire for it.

Enlightenment is not to be considered as a remedy for life’s problems. It is not an escape route or a cure. It is rather an insight which makes you live life with proper understanding. So only a genuine desire to understand life, not influenced by any ulterior motive, can bring you to it.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME?

The possibility of enlightenment exists for everyone but not everyone is attracted to it naturally. No one can force another to strive for enlightenment. The desire for enlightenment arises from within not from external influences. The world might attract you to tasty food, fine clothing, lavish apartments and flashy cars but seeking for enlightenment begins through a deep dissatisfaction with the worldly experience. The search for enlightenment does not begin by wanting to have the serenity or peacefulness of a sage or the apparently magical powers of a saint or even the simple everyday happiness of an enlightened person. So the answer to the question – what is in it for me? – will never create a desire in you for enlightenment.

However, there is one way of answering that question that, if you are listening and are sensitive to your own experience, can create that desire. That answer being that the world is an illusion and all the seeking after worldly objects and pleasures is in fact an invitation to suffering (4). So if you want to seek genuine happiness and live a genuinely satisfactory life, then you must seek enlightenment (5).

The only important concern that needs to be addressed is whether it is possible to get enlightened if you sincerely seek for it. And the answer is an big resounding YEAH! When and how is not guaranteed but possibility is definite. Is it worth it? Yes. You are going to die anyway. Why not discover everything about life and death before you die? One meaning of enlightenment is also going beyond life and death – the possibility of immortality (6)

Keeping aside these esoteric ramifications, in order to be more practical, let me put forward some benefits of enlightenmentPossibility of getting a direct life changing experience of your true self

  • Access to the inner compass to navigate the course of your own life
  • Intelligence to think for yourself in any situation
  • Emotional stability to weather any happening in life
  • Infinite source spring of happiness
  • Genuine power to make a difference in the lives of others

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Although enlightenment is open to all, there are some eligibility criteria. Firstly, we must appreciate that enlightenment is not introduced to us by our parents, teachers, friends and society. We come to it through an inner urge, keen observation, study and reflection. An individual feels compelled to understand and strive for it only when he realizes the limitations of all that he knows, all that he thinks. The fact is that most people do not come across the concept of enlightenment and even those few who do get in touch with it, are not able to persevere till they reach the summit. There are many things that pull them back or distract them or they misunderstand the whole thing.

Enlightenment will not appeal to those who

  • Are happy about what they are doing in life
  • Are trying to be successful in life
  • Accept what they have been told about themselves and life
  • Have found meaning in some religion, business, social or charitable activity

Enlightenment will appeal to those who

  • Do not understand life
  • Are not happy with what they get in life, including money, pleasure, sex, comfort and entertainment
  • Want to discover the true meaning of the whole of life unconditionally
  • Do not mind going against their friends, family, society in order to find what they truly want
  • Do not find meaning in the rat race and are willing to move away from it without regrets

Enlightenment is not something you study like a chartered accountancy course. There is no certificate or degree to be earned (7). It is its own reward. It has to be done for its own sake. The only thing you need to ask yourself at every step is why you are seeking enlightenment. If there is a motive, then it won’t happen. If you find there is genuinely no motive and that you simply wish to know the truth as it is, then you have a good chance.

FOOTNOTES

  1. After enlightenment, the notion of personal experience undergoes a dramatic change in understanding.
  2. Although Zen masters do follow the practice of confirming enlightenment, it is only notional
  3. Every analogy has exceptions. There are many plants and trees which are valued for their leaves and not fruits.
  4. Worldly comfort is not negated in any way. It has its place and value. However, it does not produce genuine happiness which is born of insight and understanding.
  5. By seeking enlightenment, it means to inquire deeply into the nature of existence, to seek the absolute truth about things
  6. All this must be understood in the right sense else there is every chance of being misunderstood. An enlightened person does not get anything out of enlightenment
  7. In fact, you lose whatever you thought you had.

If you PAY attention, you can BUY enlightenment.

There is no free lunch in this world. So with enlightenment. It is not free. You can buy it. The price is attention. You have to pay attention every moment to what is happening inside you and around you. If you can pay this price, you can get enlightened.

Where There is a Will, There is a Way

Stories

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One day a thirsty crow was searching for water. It found a pitcher in which there was water but could not drink from it since the water level was very low. So he looked around, found some stones and pebbles and dropped it into the pitcher. This caused the water level to rise and the crow drank the water.

We all know the story of the thirsty crow – one of the most famous of Aesop’s fables. The moral of the story is said to be – Where there is a will, there is a way.

While this story has been in our collective consciousness for so many years, I doubt if many would have listened to it with a critical ear. I really wonder whether the story can really be true in a practical sense, even if the concept is palatable scientifically.

Imagine a round pitcher with a little water. I really doubt that by putting in pebbles and stones the water level will rise so much for the crow to be able to reach it. Beyond a point, the water will stay within the gaps between the stones. Adding more stones will not help at all.

This raises a number of questions which must be answered to justify the story

  • What was the shape of the pitcher?
  • What was the initial water level?
  • What size and weight of pebbles can a crow pick up in its beak?
  • How many pebbles are needed to be put in to raise the water level by one centimeter?

Even if we are able to get some answers to these questions, I am unable to come to terms with the moral of the story. Why is the moral always – where there is a will, there is a way?

I would say the following morals would make more sense

  • Necessity is the mother of invention
  • Think out of the box
  • Never leave a pitcher with water outside, a crow might put stones into it.
  • Jugaad your way to get what you want

I am shocked that we tell our children stories and don’t ask them to think critically on them. We even given them pre-cooked conclusions. Not only that, we also never pause to consider the truth of what we have been told as innocent stories.

By the way, some scientists went ahead and did an experiment with crows and pitchers and found some interesting results.

Refer
Research Paper on the Experiment done on Crows
Video of the Study

Genuine Spirituality is an Action not a Reaction

Spirituality

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People who have turned “spiritual” need to consider this very important aspect.

By spiritual, I am referring to people who engage in reading spiritual books, going to a spiritual teacher, spending time at a satsang, joining a spiritual club or going for a meditation retreat and in general who think of themselves as “spiritual” not ordinary. There are people who engage in such activities on a regular basis and for whom it has become a part of life in terms of hanging out with similar individuals. Such people are always quoting some saying from the sacred texts, or something they have read or something their guru has spoken or sharing some of their “spiritual” experiences or simply complaining that the world is going to the dogs because of the lack of spirituality.

For such people, it is quite important to honestly clarify to themselves their true motivation for turning spiritual.

We can distinguish three contexts. First, there is the habitual spirituality, which is nothing but a habit learnt from childhood about following certain rituals and pujas. You see your mother and father going to the temple or church and you have learnt to do that. Some of you might choose different Gods and Goddesses to follow as you grow up, depending on your affinity, but it is a habit nonetheless. There is no thought behind that habit but just a belief. Seeking blessings from every temple you see while traveling is a sign of this habitual spirituality.

Second, there is the spirituality that emerges as a reaction to life. People, who have been deeply hurt in life due to certain experiences, turn to spirituality for solace and comfort. People who are living a hard life turn to spirituality with the hope of finding some happiness. Such people usually form clubs and groups where they can find similar people and get the opportunity to feel related. The interest in spirituality is sustained so long as the circumstances in life remain the same. Because life is full of suffering, people seek happiness through spirituality. They read books, memorize quotes from it, go to gurus and practice meditation. If the life was good, such people would not be interested in spirituality at all. People remember God only when life becomes a challenge. So this kind of spirituality is a reaction to life.

Genuine spirituality is not a reaction to life. It is a positive action towards living a life full of understanding and happiness amidst all the challenges and hardships. Genuine spirituality seeks to understand and act from that understanding. It is not afraid to be alone and does not seek comfort in a group. It does not run around from book to book or guru to guru to speak the latest fashionable truths. Genuine spirituality does not make a display of its genuineness or spirituality. Therefore, it is difficult to spot. A completely ordinary being can be the most developed spiritual person without anyone being aware of it.

The road to genuine spirituality starts from the inner recognition of our habitual or reactive spirituality. When we realize that we are only calling ourselves spiritual and want to be recognized as such by others, and when we see the utter un-spirituality of it, we are at peace with ourselves. Then we can be genuinely spiritual even while doing the most ordinary things in life and are able to handle the most difficult situations in life with ease.

The Emperor’s New Clothes

On Knowing Oneself, Stories

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The emperor’s birthday was nearing and many celebrations were planned in his honor. For this special occasion, the emperor wanted to look his best & wanted a new dress stitched for him. Tailors from across the kingdom were invited to present their designs. Although tailors came from far and wide, the Emperor did not like any of their designs. He announced a big reward for the person who could make the most unique dress for him.

Then one day a stranger appeared in the court & claimed to have the most unique fabric in the world with which he would make the emperor’s birthday suit. The specialty of the fabric was that it could be seen only by one who was wise and could not be seen by one who was foolish. He produced a sample of the fabric from his bag and displayed it to everyone in the court. Although no one could see or touch the fabric, they all exclaimed that they had never seen such a thing. Even the emperor could not say anything for fear of being discovered to be foolish. He had to agree that it was indeed a special fabric most suitable for his birthday. The stranger was then allowed to spend several weeks weaving the imaginary clothes.

On the day of the emperor’s birthday, he got ready to wear his unique clothes. He got down to his inner wear & the stranger put the new clothes on him. Although no one could see the clothes they all appreciated the dress because they did not want to appear foolish. Even the emperor could not say anything. He even rewarded the stranger for his superb work.

Dressed in this invisible suit, the emperor rode his royal horse through the city wearing acknowledging the birthday wishes of his people. All his citizens, seeing the emperor wearing his inner wear on his horse, were in a shock. But no one said anything for fear of attracting his wrath. Suddenly one child in the crowd started laughing & pointing to the emperor said – Look there. the king is not wearing any clothes. The king is not wearing any clothes. ha ha hah!

The emperor immediately realized the truth & rushed back to his palace in shame.

In the very effort to appear wise, shines our stupidity.

Life is such. When there is a great desire for something, it makes us blind. We ignore the truth staring in front of our eyes. We do not believe our own intuition but believe what someone else is saying.

Fear of being termed foolish makes us do things & say things which are contrary to what is. We accept other people’s interpretation of the situation even if we are able to see the same situation differently. The underlying assumption is that the crowd cannot be wrong, all at the same time.

The crowd on the other hand is afraid of itself. So only a small child, pure of heart, without any preconceptions, one who has not yet become a part of the crowd, is not afraid to speak the truth.

We are all like that Emperor who goes about the world displaying our good qualities, nobility, holiness, acumen and spirituality without realizing that others, even though they may see through our nakedness, pretend to see our clothes.

Nakedness is our truth. Even if we wear layers of clothes, fundamentally we are naked inside. How can we ignore that fact? When all the traditional dresses and functional uniforms are taken off, we are all the same.

Going further when we divest ourselves of our stories about who we are in terms of name, family, education, designation & achievements; fundamentally we are pure emptiness, the stuff of what existence is made of. From this place you will never see any clothes however hard someone like that stranger would make you believe that the clothes exist. Because now you can really see and the child in you starts laughing.