Look for the light
Buddha was once walking with his disciple across a long stretch. They crossed a knee deep stream and walked about half a mile when Buddha felt thirsty. He asked his accomplice to get him some water from the stream they just passed. While Buddha rested under a tree, his friend went back to the stream to get water for him. In the meantime, a bullock cart passed the stream and left the water murky. The friend struggled to get hold of some clear water and tried hard to clear out the mud and pebbles that surfaced whenever he was trying to scoop out some water to drink. He could not manage. And came back to Buddha with whatever he could manage — the water was full of impurities and undrinkable.
Buddha told his partisan to wait and sit under the tree with him for some time. After a while, he advised him to go again and fetch clear water. This time, the mud and pebbles has settled down underneath and the surface water was clear as crystal.
Life is a journey and every now and then you may come across situations that are like the murky water. I have learned it the hard way that more you struggle to force yourself out from the situation, the more it gets worse. You dig up more negativity and bitterness. Every relationship, every attachment in life is impermanent. They do not last forever. And the best way to tackle them is to show perseverance and wait for the right time to find crystal clear water that can quench your thirst for the moment.
In times of turmoil, it is important to start looking inwards — make your mind your best friend. For any outside friend you may find during your time of crisis, which is temporary, may actually turn against you in due course of time. This is going to hurt you only because you were not expecting it. The moment you are dependent upon someone for your inner peace and solace, you are actually expecting a favorable return. When the outsider fails to reciprocate what your mind wants, you may feel ridiculed or abandoned. So, why not make your mind your best friend?
Now, you and your mind are not the same entity always. When you are angry, sad you tend to succumb to actions which are considered mindless, stupid or unnecessary. I have realized that on many situations I have over reacted. And those were completely avoidable if I showed some sense of perseverance. I started sharing non-sense things with half-known acquaintances about other peoples’ lives. In a way, I disseminated negativity that my mind never supported. Many a times I tried to envisage and torment myself over people or situation that I detached myself from, at will. However, my mind knew that whatever I have done or happened was for good. I was unsettled and was not looking inwards — towards my real friend — the mind.
There will be difficult situations in life — that is the basic essence of life. Nothing is permanent — happiness or sadness cannot exist forever. But what exists forever — is the Divine glow that resides in you — within you — in your mind. You only need to find it — so look for the light.