On the Subject of Detachment
A Master and disciple are having a discussion
under the bright moon of a star lit sky.
Disciple:
I am sad Master
Master:
Why do you feel this way, my favorite one.
Disciple:
I have witnessed and experienced hate, greed,
aggression, and the lies others
have committed. It saddens me deeply.
Master:
Can you not detach yourself from them?
Disciple:
I cannot, for I feel an obligation to correct
them, and tell them the false way of life
they are leading.
Master:
What makes you feel they need to be corrected
by you? What makes you the sole judge of their
behavior? Do you hold the answer to everyone's
life circumstances?
Disciple:
No. I would guess not. But I feel the pain and
suffering that they must be going through,
and the affect is very real and related to me.
I want to show them the correct way.
Master:
Everyone was born in a life with experiences
different than yours. What is right for you
does not necessarily mean it is right for them.
A fish born in water has no need for legs.
What makes you think others need your
criticisms? What do you say to a mother who
can only sell her body to feed her child?
Disciple:
I understand what you are saying, but I am
only trying to help them out, spread the
message to them.
Master:
People will listen only if they want to. A truly
caring person is someone who tries to
understand others, and this compassion
comes from the heart. Simply understanding
another's viewpoint already does a lot. It is
NOT related to bickering on who is right and
who is wrong over trivial things. A need to
correct others and convert them to your way
of thinking only reflects on your need and
dependence on proving yourself right. Learn
to be reflective... ego building does nothing
but put you at odds with others. Tolerance of
differences in opinion is the first step towards
maturity.
Disciple:
I understand now. I guess I became so
involved in trying to protect my beliefs that
I became the one who was not listening. I
guess I was afraid of being wrong, of losing
my reputation, and my main concern was to
attack others who have differences in
opinion with my own. I guess it is I who is
showing hate, greed, and aggression
when I attack other's beliefs, and try to prove
them wrong. Now I understand how
people view my behavior.
Master:
And that is why you are my favorite one.
