Peace (part 5)
Timid men fear sensory experience much as they do tigers.
They seek refuge in caves and try to un-think the world.
Sensory experiences are like elephants who, upon encountering a desireless man,
see him as a lion. They immediately turn on their heels,
or if unable to escape, stay on to flatter and serve him.
A man with no doubts, who knows only Self, has no need of practice
or liberation. Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating— he lives as he is, happily.
One whose mind is emptied and unconflicted by the mere hearing of Truth
sees nothing to do, nothing to avoid, nothing to warrant his indifference.
The sage does whatever appears to be done without thinking of good or bad.
His actions are those of a child.
Depending on nothing, one finds happiness. Depending on nothing, one attains the Supreme.
Depending on nothing, one passes through tranquility to One Self.
When one realizes he is neither the actor nor the one who watches, the mind-storm is stilled.
The actions of the sage, free of pretence and motive, shine like clear light.
Not so those of the deluded seeker who affects a peaceful demeanor
while remaining firmly attached.
Unbounded, unfettered, untethered from the projections of mind, the wise are free
to play and enjoy, or retire to mountain caves.
Whether honoring a spiritual scholar, a god, or holy shrine; whether
seeing a desirable woman, a king, or beloved friend-- the heart of the sage
is unmoved.
Though his servants, sons, wives, daughters, grandchildren and all his relatives
ridicule and despise him, the yogi is undismayed.
Bows (to be continued .... )
Timid men fear sensory experience much as they do tigers.
They seek refuge in caves and try to un-think the world.
Sensory experiences are like elephants who, upon encountering a desireless man,
see him as a lion. They immediately turn on their heels,
or if unable to escape, stay on to flatter and serve him.
A man with no doubts, who knows only Self, has no need of practice
or liberation. Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating— he lives as he is, happily.
One whose mind is emptied and unconflicted by the mere hearing of Truth
sees nothing to do, nothing to avoid, nothing to warrant his indifference.
The sage does whatever appears to be done without thinking of good or bad.
His actions are those of a child.
Depending on nothing, one finds happiness. Depending on nothing, one attains the Supreme.
Depending on nothing, one passes through tranquility to One Self.
When one realizes he is neither the actor nor the one who watches, the mind-storm is stilled.
The actions of the sage, free of pretence and motive, shine like clear light.
Not so those of the deluded seeker who affects a peaceful demeanor
while remaining firmly attached.
Unbounded, unfettered, untethered from the projections of mind, the wise are free
to play and enjoy, or retire to mountain caves.
Whether honoring a spiritual scholar, a god, or holy shrine; whether
seeing a desirable woman, a king, or beloved friend-- the heart of the sage
is unmoved.
Though his servants, sons, wives, daughters, grandchildren and all his relatives
ridicule and despise him, the yogi is undismayed.
Bows (to be continued .... )
