A master shares a profound lesson about embracing the fleeting nature of life and learning to live wisely amid birth, death, and all that lies between.
A Body to Respect, Not Own
A student relates how his wife taught him to accept both birth and death. The master responds, promising to reveal what lies between those two states. He explains that the body is not truly “you” but like a dress you wear. One “has” a body but the body does not have you. Similarly, money can be possessed, but it should not possess you.
Despite strength, the body is fragile—even a tiny mosquito can end life. Recognizing this fragility prevents investing life solely in the body. Respect and care are due, seeing the body’s beauty like that of a delicate flower. Impermanence does not erase beauty; a flower’s fragile nature does not diminish its elegance.
Learning from Alexander and the Crow
The master shares a story of King Alexander who sought to drink from a mystical lake rumored to grant eternal life. As Alexander approached, a crow warned him, saying it had drunk from the lake and was now eternally a crow. The lesson: love impermanence and find elegance in imperfection.
The Beauty in Unpredictability
Life is unpredictable, though many wish it were otherwise. This desire makes life conflict-prone. Yet unpredictability keeps us alert and makes life adventurous. Life is like a painting, not a predictable mathematical equation. True sanity comes with surrendering mental chatter and flowing with life’s mystery respectfully and attentively.
Living Wisely Amid Injustice
When asked how enlightened people regard evil and injustice, the master says they focus on living wisely rather than explaining these phenomena. They are enchanted by existence’s complexity instead of overwhelmed. Every person holds potential—the seed of love and happiness—which grows through mindful self-observation and interaction with life.
Choosing Joy and Commitment
To live wisely, the master advises, one must do necessary deeds with joy and commitment. The choice is personal: to rise or fall, to fill one’s inner space with gloom or light. Wise living is making that choice consciously.
Acceptance of Life and Death
With this understanding, life’s cost feels worthwhile. Wisdom removes fear of death, which is simply part of life. Each moment births a new one and lets go of the past. Existence cares deeply for all; tuning into this care means merging with life’s flow and saying “yes” to existence’s river.
Thankfulness arises when we realize every moment is a gift of life. Ultimately, everyone can become a flower of love.
