An ancient Sufi Story tells of a king who was constantly torn between happiness and despondency. Even the slightest thing could cause him great upset and his happiness would quickly turn into disappontment and despair. The king finally got tired of himself and the life he was creating. He sent for a wise man in his kingdom who was said to be enlightened. The king told the wise man he wanted to be like him. He asked if the wise man could bring something that could bring balance, serenity and wisdom into his life. The king said he would pay any price for such a tool. “The cost of such a tool will be more than the value of the your entire kingdom” explained the wise man. ” But so long as you honor it, I will give it as a gift to you”. The king promised to honor the tool and the wise man departed.
A few weeks later, he returned and gave the king an ornately carved jade box. Within the box was a simple gold ring inscribed with these words: “This, too, will pass.” The king was puzzled about the meaning of the inscription, so the wise man explained; “Wear this ring always. Whatever happens, before you call it good or bad, touch this ring and read the inscription. That way you’ll always be at peace”.
As Eckhart Tolle writes in his book, A New Earth: “Those words inscribed on the ring are not telling you that you should not enjoy the good in your life, nor are they merely meant to provide some comfort in times of suffering. They have a deeper purpose – to make you aware of the fleetingness of every situation, which is due to the transience of all forms – good or bad”.
When faced with difficult situtions the pain is eased by recognizing the impermanence of things. Not only the so called bad things, but good things also are trasient. When you understand that the good times are also impermanent, you can enjoy them and appreciate them more fully because you know these times are transient. It allows you to honor the things of this world without giving them too much importance and significance and not get too attached.
Once you see and accept the transience of all things and the inevitability of change you can enjoy the pleasures of the world while they last without fear of loss or anxiety about the future, for “this too shall pass.
For now, Earlynn’s Just Sayin’
http://earlynnsjustsayin.org/daily-inspirational-thought-9/
