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Story One
The Muslim Sufi mystic Imam el-Ghazali (b. 1058) tells of a tradition from the life of Isa ibn Maryam. Isa saw some people sitting miserably on a wall by the roadside. He inquired, "What is your affliction?" They replied, "We have become like this through our fear of hell." Isa proceeded on his way, and he saw a group of persons gathered gloomily in various postures by the wayside. He asked, "What is your affliction?" They responded, "Desire for Paradise has made us this way." Isa traveled on until he saw a third group of people. They looked like persons who had endured much, but their faces were aglow with joy. Isa asked them, "What has made you like this?" They replied, "The Spirit of Truth. We have seen Reality, and this has made us oblivious of all lesser goals." Isa spoke, "These are the people who attain. On the Day of Accounting, these are the ones who will enjoy the Presence of God."
This story, adapted from Idries Shah, Tales of the Dervishes, provides wonderful insight into the human journey. A-Hameed Ali, in his Diamond Heart-Book One, explains the three groups Isa meets—some Muslims equate Isa as Jesus, or the Muslim Jesus.
1. The first group fears hell. Some persons create much suffering for themselves by trying to avoid suffering. These persons create a personal hell by trying to escape the pain, the conflict, and the anxiety that are a part of life.
2. The second group tries to get to Paradise. These persons live their lives attached to attaining a heavenly, pleasurable life here on earth and in the hereafter. These persons suffer as much as the first group.
Seeking to avoid pain and seeking to gain pleasure both produce suffering and equally. As Ali writes, "You can't get out of a sticky situation by becoming stickier." Unrealistic expectation, or denial of Reality, makes for more anguish in our lives, relationships, and the world. And, as Ali notes, the personality is built on the pleasure principle: avoidance of pain and going towards pleasure. There is no salvation, or wholeness, is such egocentricity.
3. Now, the third group is joyous for they seek the Truth. What is the Truth? The Truth is what is, not our fantasies of a life free of suffering and filled with pleasure. This joyous group has transcended attachment to the pleasure principle. They are not seeking avoidance through getting high on religion, spirituality, alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, work, sex, television, sports… .
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Suffering and pleasure are part of Reality. That is, both suffering and pleasure are natural facets of experience. The means to joy is through accepting the truth of things as they are. This does not mean we do not work for a better life or world; it does mean that we begin with that work from a gracious acceptance that both suffering and pleasure are valid human experiences. Otherwise, we simply suffer more and deny ourselves opportunities for deep joy, a joy that encompasses life as it is—Reality—and fills our heart with strength, humbleness, and gratitude.
Such gracious acceptance lessens the suffering in the world and enlarges the love. For to reject life as it is now is an ill beginning in seeking to bring more blessing into our Kosmos.
Story Two
Once, a man appeared at the gates of Paradise. Christ met him. “Christ,” said the man, “I am so happy to get here to enjoy your heaven.” Christ said, “Friend, you are not ready for my heaven.” Befuddled, the man spoke, “Certainly, I am, for I have worked very hard to make sure I get to your heaven.” Replied Christ, “That is exactly why you are not ready to enjoy my heaven.”
Another man, afterward, appeared at the gates of Paradise. Christ met him. “Christ,” said the man, “I am so enthused to get to your heaven, for I worked hard to make sure I did not get sent to hell.” Christ said, “Friend, you are not ready for my heaven.” Confused and offended, the man spoke, “Christ, you must be wrong, for did I not do many good things to make sure I would not go to hell?” Christ replied, “Yes, you did many things to make sure you would not go to hell, and that is exactly why you are not ready for my heaven.”
The story of Isa ibn Maryam speaks to another meaning.
1. The first group refers to persons who seek religion and spirituality out of fear of going to hell. In Christian terms this would be getting a Jesus ticket to escape hell fire. Such does not lead to authentic faith or to love, joy, and peace. To seek to escape a hell is selfish, and selfishness cannot lead to blessing or true spirituality.
2. The second group refers to persons who focus on seeking to get to Heaven. While the first group is seeking to avoid the torments of a hell, this group is attached to getting to enjoy the pleasures of a coming Paradise. Again, this is selfish and taints spiritual aspiration, blocking the love, joy, and peace.
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