In front of the cathedral
I was feeling very lonely when I left Mass in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral right in the heart of New York.
Suddenly I was approached by a Brazilian:
“I very much need to talk to you,” he said.
I was so enthused by this meeting that I began to talk about everything that was important to me. I spoke of magic, God’s blessings, love. He listened to everything in silence, thanked me and went away.
Instead of feeling happy, I felt lonelier than before. Later on I realized that in my enthusiasm I had not paid any attention to what that Brazilian wanted.
Talk to me.
I tossed my words to the wind, because that was not what the Universe was wanting at that moment: I would have been much more useful if I had listened to what he had to say.
Whom do we love?
Ever since we are children, we are asked: do you love daddy? Do you love auntie? Do you love your teacher?
Nobody asks: do you love yourself?
And we end up spending a good deal of our life and energy trying to please others. But what about ourselves? Jesuit Anthony Mello has a fine story on this subject.
Mother and son are at a snack-bar. After taking the mother’s order, the waitress turns to the boy:
“And what will you be wanting?”
“A hotdog.”
“Nothing of the sort,” says the mother. “He wants a steak and salad.”
Ignoring the comment, the waitress asks the boy:
“Do you want that with mustard or ketchup?”
“Both,” answers the boy.
And then he turns to the mother in surprise:
“Mother! SHE THINKS THAT I’M FOR REAL!”
Nobody believes
Legend has it that right after his Enlightenment, Buddha decided to go for a walk in the country. On the way he came upon a farmer, who was impressed at the light shining from the master.
“My friend, who are you?” asked the farmer. “Because I have the feeling that I am standing before an angel, or a God.”
“I am nothing of the sort,” answered Buddha.
“Maybe you’re a powerful sorcerer?”
“Not that either.”
“So, what makes you so different from the others that even a simple peasant like me notices it?”
“I am just someone who has awoken to life. That’s all. But I tell everyone that, and nobody believes me.”
The umbrella
As tradition dictates, upon entering his Zen master’s house, the disciple left his shoes and umbrella outside.
“I saw through the window that you were arriving,” said the master. “Did you leave your shoes to the right or the left of the umbrella?”
“I haven’t the least idea. But what does that matter? I was thinking of the secret of Zen!”
“If you don’t pay attention in life, you will never learn anything. Communicate with life, pay each moment the attention it deserves – that is the only secret of Zen.”
Ah! I’m so glad this was poste| There have been quite a bit of different
info blogged about, this dispells, puts to rest
some of what I’ve seen.
Thank you.. i started reading your work with ‘By the river piedra’first and then worked through the Pilgrimage, Valkyries and through most others, for reaffirming the wisdom of Don Juan’s knowledge embedded in castaneda’s books and expressing so simply the hidden truths which give renewed faith, gratitude hopeand love to our life’s blessed journey.How lucky is Brida!
I really loved your section, “Nobody believes.” I believe that if somebody is really awaken, he would not show that he is awaken (that is perfection), therefore, it is highly probable that nobody would believe that he has been indeed awaken.
Yes, communication is no one way street!
The anecdotes left on the blog has helped me to understand that problems of communication arise from self-love,possesive love,preoccupation with one’s own ideas therefore unable to comprehend simple truths and unawareness of the present moment because of preoccupation with things we think are more important.we must leave our mind open to the present devoid of preconceptions then truths can be perceived and communicated.
Dear Paulo,
thank you for sharing great thoughts and providing helpful advice. Somehow it happens that I always find the right books and stories that fit exactly the moment and stage of life I am in – or maybe they find me.
Concerning this post about communication problems I immediately had to think about a situation that I experienced about a year ago. At that time my partner and I (he is Mexican and I am German) were often communicating in Spanish, but continuing in English for deeper thoughts or problems. Facing an important time of decisions, some smaller, others bigger, we were talking on how to reach a decision in case we did not agree on a solution. So, talking in English, I proposed to make a compromise – in the GERMAN sense of the word being an agreement where both parties “meet in the middle”. The more often I mentioned that word, the more my partner got upset and asked me why I always wanted a compromise of him – which I could not understand, until one day I found out the SPANISH meaning, being an obligation or commitment. So, talking in one language does not necessarily mean people understand each other… taking me back to your quote “love is the key to understand all mysteries” – regardless of any differences of culture.
For all people facing this kind of multi-cultural/-national relationships I can only recommend you to have the patience to listen to your beloved one, with all your heart :)
Best wishes, Franziska
About communication…there are so many forms! Most is non-verbal, and agree that it is a gift when someone really listens.
I wonder if the Brazilian man also walked away that day, having felt better after being in cheery company. This may have meant a lot to him, with perfect timing too. In a way, each receiving something valuable from meeting on that day.
Silence communicates and projects messages, so does energy that some are able to read in printed text, see in auras, or just feel. Babies and small children are great communicators also, like the wee boy in story number 2!!
I love myself and like myself too : ) (but do get frustrated sometimes over words, thankful for everyone that uses them so succintly) (hmmm, noticing there is no ‘reply’ box below, and giggling just now)
Love, Jane : ) xo
REAL. Real people.
Thank you Paulo, for providing a link to the Warrior of the Light Volumes 1-3. These stories never grow old, like Rumi’s poetry. Can’t wait to share with family!!
Love to ALL, Jane : ) xo
p.s. Was by St Patrick’s Cathedral a year ago; had the pleasure of meeting many who grew up in this area. Also made a new friend from Brazil just two days ago.