|
* * *
The Sage was asked about his joyful mood, which often erupted into uproarious laughter. He told the following tale:
A man was always sad, never smiled, and never laughed. People called him the Sad Man. He lived alone, feeling unloved except by a few friends. Persons tried to avoid him, for he was so somber.
The heavy-hearted Sad Man decided to consult a wise guide, for his gloom became unbearable. He became the follower of this sagacious, joyous guide. Sad Man lived with and helped him care for his home, property, and animals.
After many years with the wise, joyful man, the once Sad Man returned to his hometown. He met his old friends, and they were amazed at the change in him. He was of buoyant spirit, smiling and laughing. He seemed content and filled with love and kindness. And though he had aged many years, amid the deepening wrinkles on his face, he looked somehow younger and brighter of countenance.
One of the friends asked him about how the change happened. The now joyous man said ...
"My wise, joyful guide led me to the Land of Action. For some years, I lived there for humbleness, how to live in the moment, and simplicity. I found there how pleasurable work can be. Next, he led me to the Land of Sorrows. I remained there several years, until purged of many desires of excessive attachment. Then, my wise friend guided me into the Land of Love, where these pure flames burned more in me that needed transforming. And I learned of total surrender to the Beloved. After this firey alchemy, I found myself in the Land of Silence. I learned how to have a quiet mouth and quiet spirit, so I could commune with Life day and night. The silence I lived and worked in daily became the silence I rested in nightly. And in the Land of Silence, I learned of having no fear of death."
The friend asked, "So, that's the end of it, then?" "No," the joyful man said. The friend enquired, "Where did your wise friend lead you next?" "He led me into the Land of Laughter."
* * *
I read years ago of a priest admonished by the church hierarchy. What was the problem? His joyful dancing around the Eucharist was not esteemed appropriate behavior. Why?
I wonder why a church or God would be more welcoming of sad somberness than ecstatic joyousness. In recalling this story recently, I told an acquaintance much of Christianity is stuck at the crucifixion, not moving on to the resurrection. Every Sunday in Christianity is a little Easter, so it seems a priest dancing around the altar during the Mass would be fitting. Where did so many learn that sad somberness is somehow more fitting than elated ecstasy?
* * *
I was much like the sad man in our story today. Following a spiritual path of daily spiritual disciplines, over years, led me to joy and laughter. While joyfulness is our natural birthright, we often have to walk a wisdom path for years, one that teaches us wisdom lessons and transforms afflictive thoughts and feelings. Our intrinsic nature is joy, but this becomes overlaid with a variety of thoughts, beliefs, and emotions that conceal the luminosity of the Heart.
Amid what we see in our world, we can lose trust in the goodness of life and our own basic goodness. When we see the world through such belief, we lose contact with spontaneous joy and chase cheap thrills as a substitute. Yet, thrills, pleasures, addictions, and so-called spiritual experiences that bypass our honestly dealing with ourselves lead us from discontent to discontent.
Continued... |
