By Paulo Coelho
A very wealthy man asked a Zen master for a text which would always remind him how happy he was with his family.
The Zen master took some parchment and, in beautiful calligraphy, wrote:
- The father dies. The son dies. The grandson dies.
- What? - said the furious rich man. - I asked you for something to inspire me, some teaching which might be respectfully contemplated by future generations, and you give me something as depressing and gloomy as these words?
- You asked me for something which would remind you of the happiness of living together with your family. If your son dies first, everyone will be devastated by the pain. If your grandson dies, it would be an unbearable experience.
“However, if your family disappears in the order which I placed on the paper, this is the natural course of life. Thus, although we all endure moments of pain, the generations will continue, and your legacy will be long-lasting.”
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Dear Annie,
…if you can get it, and you can get it if you try.”
I think the Creation helps whoever It likes, whenever It wants, because of Its Graciousness. May be depending on the heart’s nature. But I prefer to think noone is condemnable.
Love to you.
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Dear Paul,
Of course I agree with you. But in some situations it is not so easy. Maybe some are blessed, and others not. Maybe some are written in the Book of Life, others not.
Still, I understand your remark. All this could have a taste of resting on our bay leaves (if we got some…)
But, why do you talk about the Pope here?
“Nice work…
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My dear Agnieszka, i really loved what you wrote..you are true..i m gonna let it shine…and dont keep it in the dark…
What you said dear Paul, is the law of attraction in another way…(God helps those who help themselves)..
Love and Graditude
Annie
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I still unfortunately have a great problem with fact of humans “multiplying & being fruitful”, (Diana) without first implementing logic & intelligence. This world is too small to be able to cope with the rapidly growing numbers of “consumer humans”. This is diluting the quality of life and damaging nature immensely. Just leaving these things to God to sort out is no solution…. we all Noah how he sorted it out the last time…. ;)
So what does this have to do with this story? Simply that we should be inspired by the very fact that we have been blessed with life, and we should be satisfied with knowing that the legacy is passed on simply by the act of procreation. However bear only children you can afford to feed…. and love them above all else!
That’s it ;)… through writing it down I have enlightened myself ;)… The legacy is the love itself, which continues also when we have gone, and Inspiration is to be drawn from the love we share.
(By the way, before my critics start saying that I should not try to play God, I believe God helps those who help themselves) I guess the Pope won’t like what I’m saying, and although I acknowledge the viewpoint of every religious leader, I do not have to accept it, because the WOL never accepts the unacceptable….
So now I will get down from my pulpit and go to work… have a wonderful day everyone.
Love, Paul
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Dear Annie there’s this song I love:
“this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…”
let it shine no matter what,
your parents love you even if they don’t show it.
love to you,
Agnieszka
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Yes, when the child dies, the pain cannot be compared to anything, but for the child to lose the mother or the father for me is beyond comparison because of the impact that is made on yet not developed emotional brain.
love
Agnieszka
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Thank you dear Paul.
Yes, difficult for me. But I will work it out. I can’t say if I’m right or wrong, but some cases are without appeal, I guess. Or time will tell “when water will have flown under bridges”, as we say here. Because I’m not alone to decide about, and time told me. Still I know for some of them, I have my responsabilities. Eventually, all is telltale sign.
Nice night to you.
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My uncle lost his son, 10 years ago, from an accident with a motorcycle, and this unnatural order of dying made him lose his interest in life..
Losing your children and see them go before you, i believe it is a dreadful experience…
My ‘parents’ to give me guilts for not being who they really wanted me to be, they always use to say, ‘ you never know when we are going to leave from this world’, as if i should be the daughter they wanted because sometime they will die..Well, what i tell them is ‘you never know when i am gonna leave either’…and still they dont realize…..
Love and Graditude…
Annie
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Dear Wanbliska, my interpretation of the Zen master’s story is purely to enjoy the time we have with our family (difficult for you) regardless of the order in which the family members die. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring us, but we should enjoy the “moments” we share with the ones we love. But you never know… I may have misunderstood it again ;) ? Hope his helps, enjoy your evening, Paul
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“However, if your family disappears in the order which I placed on the paper, this is the natural course of life. Thus, although we all endure moments of pain, the generations will continue, and your legacy will be long-lasting.”
-As long as we multiply and are fruitful. Having experienced death of loved ones and news of soon to be arrival (God-willing), there is much to appriciate in having a loving family.
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Maybe someone could explain, cause I don’t really understand it; even in translating it in french…
Thank You.
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