Hello and welcome.
I would like to share with you a Zen story titled,
Maybe,
Maybe Not.
A farmer had a horse who helped the family earn a living.
One day the horse ran away and the neighbors exclaimed,
Your horse ran away.
What bad luck!
The farmer replied,
Maybe,
Maybe not.
A few days later the horse returned,
Leading a few wild horses back to the farm as well.
The neighbors returned and exclaimed,
Your horse has returned and brought several horses home with him.
What great luck!
The farmer replied,
Maybe,
Maybe not.
Later that week the farmer's son was riding one of the wild horses and fell,
Breaking his leg.
The villagers returned.
Your son broke his leg.
What terrible luck!
The farmer replied,
Maybe,
Maybe not.
A few weeks later soldiers from the army marched through town,
Recruiting all the able-bodied boys for the army.
They did not take the farmer's son,
Who was still recovering from his injury.
The neighbors returned.
Your boy is spared.
What tremendous luck!
To which the farmer replied,
Maybe,
Maybe not.
The neighbors represent the mind that is quick to judge everything as either good or bad.
The farmer is wise and is connected with the wisdom of the heart,
Which trusts and also realizes that all situations are temporary and changing.
The farmer realizes the truth of the statement,
This too shall pass.
No event in and of itself can truly be judged as good or bad,
Lucky or unlucky,
Fortunate or unfortunate,
As it is a partial unfoldment of the totality of events.
No event is isolated.
All events are connected and in accord with the divine will.
The ego fragments one event and gives an interpretation of good or bad.
If the interpretation of the event is negative,
The ego resists it and creates suffering,
Which prevents anything new and good from unfolding.
J.
Krishnamurthy,
The great Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher,
Once asked his audience,
Do you want to know my secret?
This is my secret.
I don't mind what happens,
Which indicates that he knew the truth that change is constant and an inevitable part of life.
When we know this truth,
We can navigate through life's challenges with peace and equanimity.
And this inner peace allows the outer circumstances to change and transform.
I wish you love,
Peace and equanimity.
Thank you.
Namaste.
