Here’s a wonderful analogy relating to the gradual process of merging your individuality into the Universe. It also illustrates the courage needed to get the job done.
(from http://www.peterrussell.com, reprinted with permission)
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The Parable of the Rope
We are like a person holding on to a piece of rope.
He holds on for dear life, knowing that if he were to let go he would fall to his death. His parents, his teachers, and many others have told him this is so; and when he looks around he can see everyone else doing the same.
Nothing would induce him to let go.
Along comes a wise person. She knows that holding on is unnecessary, that the security it offers is illusory, and only holds you where you are. So she looks for a way to dispel his illusions and help him to be free.
She talks of real security, of deeper joy, of true happiness, of peace of mind. She tells him that he can taste this if he will just release one finger from the rope.
"One finger," thinks the man; "that"s not too much to risk for a taste of bliss." So he agrees to take this first initiation.
And he does taste greater joy, happiness, and peace of mind.
But not enough to bring lasting fulfillment.
"Even greater joy, happiness and peace can be yours," she tells him, "if you will just release a second finger."
"This," he tells himself, "is going to be more difficult. Can I do it? Will it be safe? Do I have the courage?" He hesitates, then, flexing his finger, feels how it would be to let go a little more . . . and takes the risk.
He is relieved to find he does not fall; instead he discovers greater happiness and inner peace.
But could more be possible?
"Trust me," she says. "Have I failed you so far? I know your fears, I know what your mind is telling you — that this is crazy, that it goes against everything you have ever learnt — but please, trust me. Look at me, am I not free? I promise you will be safe, and you will know even greater happiness and contentment."
"Do I really want happiness and inner peace so much," he wonders, "that I am prepared to risk all that I hold dear? In principle, yes; but can I be sure that I will be safe, that I will not fall?" With a little coaxing he begins to look at his fears, to consider their basis, and to explore what it is he really wants. Slowly he feels his fingers soften and relax. He knows he can do it. And he knows he must do it. It is only a matter of time until he releases his grip.
And as he does an even greater sense of peace flows through him.
He is now hanging by one finger. Reason tells him he should have fallen a finger or two ago, but he hasn"t. "Is there something wrong with holding on itself?" he asks himself. "Have I been wrong all the time?"
"This one is up to you," she says. "I can help you no further. Just remember that all your fears are groundless."
Trusting his quiet inner voice, he gradually releases the last finger.
And nothing happens.
He stays exactly where he is.
Then he realizes why. He has been standing on the ground all along.
And as he looks at the ground, knowing he need never hold on again, he finds true peace of mind.
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Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/indi/ / CC BY 2.0
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This is amazing i seek spiritual guidance which i feel i lack im born 1st june 1985 my name senovia jenelee tippru what can you tell me or is there anything im doing thats wrong i cnt seem to concentrate my mind always drifts away.
If you are talking about your mind drifting away during meditation, it does not matter. As a matter of fact, it does not matter one bit what your mind does during meditation. What matters is realizing that you are a spectator to your mind. You are in actuality quietly watching it. It’s like quietly watching busy traffic from the pavement; are you affected by what happens in the traffic? When two cars bump into each other, are you injured? No way. Your thoughts are nothing but mental traffic, and you are their motionless witness. Try and see this in your head and then constantly enjoy the stillness that you really are.
Hi,
Its a very beautiful analogy that you have written over here.
We tend to cling on to our fears, our wants that we sometimes fail to realize that there is more to life than just these things.
For example, a person keeps getting tensed as he wants to earn more money coz he wanna buy Mercedez Benz, but as u said, if he leaves the rope, he still realizes he can be happy with a beetle and at the same time work calmly to get his mercedez benz….
Very true, Raj. But allow me to take it a step further. It’s not he who wants the Merc — it’s his mind. He should realize that he is the utterly peaceful witness to the mind and just let the mind do its thing while he watches on unperturbed.
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