But one creature said at last, "I am tired of clinging. Though I cannot see it with my eyes, I trust that the current knows where it is going. I shall let go, and let it take me where it will. Clinging, I shall die of boredom."
The other creatures laughed and said, "Fool! Let go, and that current you worship will throw you tumbled and smashed against the rocks, and you will die quicker than boredom!"
But the one heeded them not, and taking a breath did let go, and at once was tumbled and smashed by the current across the rocks.
Yet in time, as the creature refused to cling again, the current lifted him free from the bottom, and he was bruised and hurt no more.
And the creatures downstream, to whom he was a stranger, cried, "See a miracle! A creature like ourselves, yet he flies! See the messiah, come to save us all!"
And the one carried in the current said, "I am no more messiah than you. The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare let go. Our true work is this voyage, this adventure."
But they cried the more, "Savior!" all the while clinging to the rocks, and when they looked again he was gone, and they were left alone making legends of a savior.
-- from Illusions by Richard Bach
Each creature in its own manner clung tightly to the twigs and rocks of the river bottom, for clinging was their way of life, and resisting the current was what each had learned from birth.
But one creature said at last, "I am tired of clinging. Though I cannot see it with my eyes, I trust that the current knows where it is going. I shall let go, and let it take me where it will.
An allegory - how free thinkers, not bound by the chains of past dictates, will soar and be glorified in their accomplishments. Nice story, and that is my interpretation of it. i.e. Don't plant your feet in concrete, but go with the flow.
An allegory - how free thinkers, not bound by the chains of past dictates, will soar and be glorified in their accomplishments. Nice story, and that is my interpretation of it. i.e. Don't plant your feet in concrete, but go with the flow.
Yes, and actually the think that made me think of seeding this were some comments in the discussion on the NT seed " The Original Religion ", where someone was so obviously stuck in their rigid belief system that they were unwillingly to consider any other point of view. And then, to make matters worse, they starting proselytizing.
(That discussion got heavily in to philosophy, religion, etc-- a bit unusual for NT & certainly not of interest to some-- but others do find that sort of thing to be quite interesting).
By not letting go of rigid past beliefs, you can really get stuck in life!
Great article and thank you Krishna!
What happens when an entire culture/society/civilization comes to such a fateful crossroads?
Great article and thank you Krishna!
You're welcmer.
What happens when an entire culture/society/civilization comes to such a fateful crossroads?
A good question.
Often people in online discussions think they can actually change things-- by seeding article or making comments. Which is really delusional thinking...
I suppose the only thing you can do when you you do come to such a crossroads is to find a way to escape. Sex, drugs, Rock 'n Roll-- or whatever floats your boat (to coin a phrase).
Not everyone likes it (its a sort of "acquired taste" as it were) but sometimes I enjoy listening to Mississippi Delta Blues:
(Robert Johnson -Cross Road)
Now that's authentic!
(Apologies if I post this too much, I'm sure I seeded a it somewhere else on NT)
Now that's authentic!
(Apologies if I post this too much, I'm sure I seeded a it somewhere else on NT)
OK-- so maybe Son House instead?
Real Swing!
(That discussion got heavily in to philosophy, religion, etc-- a bit unusual for NT & certainly not of interest to some-- but others do find that sort of thing to be quite interesting).
I found the other article very interesting reading, but for some reason my mood is not drawn to something that deep right now, so rather then comment and cause an interruption, I am staying out of it. I love deep discussions but it's a bit too deep for my tastes right now.
This one, on the other hand, has just the right combination of deep thinking and lightness. Great job Krishna!
Though I'm not too sure how many people will get my "Green Stamps" reference.
Though I'm not too sure how many people will get my "Green Stamps" reference.
Well, sometimes that's the fun of it all.
And I've been known to do that myself at times --sometimes even more obscure than green Stamps! (After all, tastes vary-- some people are into S & M-- others are into S & H!).
And I wonder how many got that reference to INALBIPOOTV? (maybe that one wasn't fair-- perhaps INALB would'v been easier???)
Very good, release and the truth will be found.
Very good, release and the truth will be found.
Some philosophies feel very strongly that you have to release the old in order for the new stuff to come in. (I think that may be why Buddhists place emphasis on "letting go of 'attachments'").
Letting go of my wife might bring the free thinker back out in me....
Profound...(perhaps too much so...?)