J's Musings

  – Janhavi B

Once a businessman went to a monk in hopes of having a good conversation about his problems with the learned soul. All went as hoped, but once the time was over, the man did not feel like leaving so soon. So he told the monk, ‘Can I have another hour of your time Sir?’

The monk replied ‘Sure, come back tomorrow at the same time.’

Surprised to hear this, the man asked ‘Can I have one more hour of your time, now?’

‘No, I have other’s waiting for me, come back tomorrow.’

Taken back by the monk’s behavior, the man tried to buy the monk, ‘I will give you all the fees you want, just give me some time.’

Humored to see another businessman trying to buy him, the monk responded ‘Do you really think you can afford me?’

‘Yes, for I am the richest of all’

‘If you truly believe that, let me take you on walk.’ The monk then guided the man through the small neighborhood surrounding the monastery. He first led him towards an old man sitting on a bench right in front of his house. ‘Do you know why that man is sitting there?’

‘Maybe to get some fresh air?’

‘A good guess, but no. He sits there, because it was his wife’s favorite place when she was alive. They used to have tea under that very tree.’

‘If his wife has died, then why does he still do that?’

‘For he is dedicated to her. It has been 7 years since her death, but he still sits there to keep her memory alive.’

‘That is sweet’ the businessman marked with a smile.

‘True. But you do not have such dedication, is it not so? There you are very poor, let us go further.’ And up they went to the house of a woman who looked like she was waiting for somebody. ‘Look at that woman waiting for her son to return from school,’ the monk said.

‘But she is too old to have a school going son!’

‘That is true, her son is in America now. He ran away 5 years ago, for he thought his mother too overbearing.’

‘So, you are saying she has Alzheimer?’

‘No, she knows perfectly well that her son might never return, or return too late. But it is her love that makes her sit there every day and imagine him coming towards her. That school going son who wanted to return to her. You lack that love too, yes? That is all right. Let us go even further.’ The monk then took the businessman to a girl about 10, waiting in her porch.

‘Who is she waiting for Sir?’ asked the man.

‘Her father, even though he is too busy with his work to notice her. Why do you think she still waits?’

‘Maybe due to her love or dedication?’ The man replied with a sour look.

‘No, due to her ignorance. She never notices how her father reacts to her, she is ignorant of his ignorance. All she knows is that he is her father and that she loves him. It is her ignorance and lack of ego that enables her to love so unconditionally. But, Alas! You lack both so.’ Saying this the monk led the man to the monastery.

After sitting down he started ‘Young man, you tried to buy me with your money. But what use is that, I have enough of my own. You came to talk to me about your problems and the lack of love in your life. But then you thought, I was a good man, you wanted to talk to me more. You tried to persuade me to do so with your money, which you thought was enough, for it made you the richest of all. You thought giving this old monk some of it would do the trick. But look at that old man, he has no one left, yet he sits there for his expired wife. That is his dedication. Look at that woman who waits for the son who might never return. That is her love. And most of all, look at that girl, who loves her father so much. That is her ignorance and lack of ego. You lack all their qualities, yet you call yourself rich. I have not any problem in giving you my guidance, and making you a disciple. But my fees cannot be your money, no. I want you to be as dedicated as the old man, loving as the woman, and lacking of ego as the young girl. Only then can I help you. So ask yourself 3 questions before coming to me again. Am I dedicated? Am I loving? And do I lack ego?’