What donkey are you ???

My good friend in her feedback on my last blog mentioned on the importance of trying out one’s luck again and again when things are not necessarily going your way instead of merely letting go…..she felt that letting go was too theoretical to be practiced

I agree partially with the argument but do not wish to contest at this point of time as its one's own perspective of looking at things. But this argument reminds me of a Buddhist parable which was narrated by a famous monk over the satellite radio some months ago. Although i don't remember the complete parable but for its fantastic learning's which it conveys I'm gonna risk risk narrating it in my own words .... i feel there is a lot to learn from the short and beautiful parable and should answer my friends dilemma

This is a parable about two donkeys. An ordinary and a Buddhist donkey!

Pause

The new owner of these two donkeys considered himself very smart. His earlier herd of donkeys were now of no use to him. He made life miserable for them. Too much work and strain took their toll. He always used to devise ways to ensure that his donkeys reach the marketplace in the quickest possible time to deliver the goods. He considered his donkeys to be the dumbest around. He was sure that they would fall to his tactics.

But little did he realize this time around among the two new donkeys, he was dealing with one Buddhist donkey!

The first day he put the one of the donkey's to work. This time around he had devised a new method to extract more work from them. The so-called smart owner had hung a carrot at exactly one feet's distance from the donkey's mouth as a inducement for the donkey to run faster. However the arrangement of the carrot was such that despite his best efforts the donkey could never manage to touch the carrot.

The donkey though had other plans on his mind. He felt that if he ran fast enough he would be able to catch hold of the much desired carrot .

And so as soon as the owner sitting on the back of the donkey with the goods, ordered the donkey to move ahead ...the donkey was on the job. With all eyes on the carrot he moved faster.He ran faster than he ever could. He felt it was just a matter of time before he could catch hold of the carrot. Unfortunately he realised that the faster he was running the further was the carrot moving away. He tried harder, ran faster; thought this time he would be able to catch up. However the carrot was always ahead of him.

The donkey however did not give up, he tried his luck more and more he thought he would be able to get it with a little bit more effort . Unfortunately little did he realize that he was fighting for a lost cause. The speed which the donkey managed to achieve, the owner reached the marketplace in a record time. However the carrot was still beyond the donkeys reach. he could never enjoy the carrot. The donkey was obviously frustrated blamed destiny. For the owner it was a job well done.

Pause

The next day the owner fresh from his previous days success tried the same technique with the other donkey. He expected similar results. However things don’t always go as planned. For our second donkey was different. This was a Buddhist donkey!

Same carrot for inducement. Same one feet distance. Beyond the reach of the Buddhist donkeys mouth. The Buddhist donkey fixes his eye on the carrot. He knows he desires it a lot and wants to get it as much as the donkey on the previous day desired. However something in him made him more convincing in his approach. Only time would tell.

As soon the owners ordered the donkey to start moving, the Buddhist donkey began his journey. He started building pace. Initially at a slow speed and then faster and faster. The owner in the mean time was visibly happy.He felt he's got hold of the magic formula to get work done faster and effectively. He also felt sorry for the Buddhist donkey who looked as if he was running for his life. He was running faster than any other donkey he’s ever seen. However with the increasing speed the carrot like the previous day was going further aways from him. But he never gave up . He ran faster and faster

But was he running to a plan? After all he’s a Buddhist donkey na;)

The Buddhist donkey's speed now reached a critical phase. It was the fastest he could ever run. The carrot too reached the furthest point away. He ran still faster. He broke his own speed record. As he reached his new fastest speed he executed his master plan . At his fastest speed when the carrot was furthest away from him ..........the Buddhist donkey ..........suddenly .......halts

Pause

And all witness the most beautiful thing. The carrot till now which was at the furthest point from the donkey's mouth due to the sudden halt slowly begins to move back towards the Buddhist donkeys in such a way that he can now catch hold of his most prized possession. The owners looks stunned. The donkey gives a pleasant smile. A job well done

Pause

If you happen to read my earlier blogs each one always ends with my point of view on the topic mentioned. However this time around I choose keep it open. I leave it for all to interpret this beautiful parable in your own way

Just some thoughts to ponder on....

We're all donkeys (Is there any doubt!)
Carrots are what we desire in life.
The owner is destiny (ok this is my addition can be argued)

So are you just a donkey or a Buddhist donkey?

Perspectives......

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