THE OLD FARMER

Life is not easy , is something we can all agree upon. It provides numerous challenges. and along with that problems and disappointments. Who help us in situations of adversities? Who provides succor during our trials and tribulations.  Our families, friends and loved ones.

Most  importantly the  faith in the Guru and Divine  bails us out from refractory situations. It is  the unflinching faith and surrender to the supreme power which acts as a  lifeboat during our inexpedient moments.  Guru and Divine impart us immense  knowledge and little realizations to circumvent trying circumstances.

Humans can fortify themselves by practicing  the Art of Detachment during  obstreperous situations .

Once lived an old farmer  who had a horse. One day the horse ran away. His neighbors  and other villagers commiserated the loss. The farmer laconically replied' May Be'. Next day, villagers were astonished when the horse brought along with it three other  wild horses.Villagers and neighbors congratulated the farmer. The farmer replied simply.' May Be'. It so happened , the enterprising son of the farmer mounted one of the wild horses.... Unfortunately he could not reign in  the horse and  thus happened to  break  his leg. The retinue of villagers and neighbors expressed their sorrow and grief  about the incident to the farmer. The farmer remained  detached and merely remarked.' May Be'.  Shortly some  army officials visited the village  to draft  strapping youngsters to the forces. But the differently able son of the farmer was not recruited. Congratulatory messages poured in from the villagers and neighbors. ' How fortuitous you and your son are' ,  they claimed. Once again the farmer replied ' May Be'.

The old farmer remained stoic and unruffled in all situations and  maintained Zen like cool and was  detached to the events which were unfolding.   Instead of becoming cranky as he grew older , he was shielded by  optimism , peace and detachment.

Buddha says,' Believe nothing , no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your reason and your own common sense.'

The old farmer imbibed this enlightened quote of  the Buddha. Buddha expects humans to learn from personal experiences and not from the reviews ( read villagers and neighbors)  of others. What suits one person may not necessarily suit another.