At some point in our lives, we will become more acutely aware of the fact that there is not only birth, growth, success, good health and winning – there is also loss, failure, sickness, old age, decay, pain and, finally, death.
The latter sounds horrifying to the human mind, or ego; it likes to avoid or deny that reality as much as it can!
But is the latter so bad?
Sooner or later, disorder will irrupt into everyone’s life, so matter how well the media paint endless rosy pictures of celebrity fame and fortune.
And you can be sure death is on the table since death is a part of this very earthly life. When you enter into life, you also enter into death. The two are separated only by time.
Yin and yang are one, the universe is an indivisible whole, intricately weaved together in which all things are interconnected, in which nothing exists in isolation.
This means, ultimately, that our mental labels of good and bad are, ultimately, illusory. They are not the ultimate truth. In fact, something might appear to be ‘good’ but turn out badly, and vice versa. Something that is bad can turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
This Zen story sums it up perfectly.
The Story of the Farmer’s Son
One day in late summer, an old farmer was working in his field with his old sick horse. The farmer felt compassion for the horse and desired to lift its burden. So he left his horse loose to go the mountains and live out the rest of its life.
Soon after, neighbors from the nearby village visited, offering their condolences and said, “What a shame. Now your only horse is gone. How unfortunate you are! You must be very sad. How will you live, work the land, and prosper?”
The farmer replied:” Maybe so, maybe not.”
Two days later the old horse came back now rejuvenated after meandering in the mountainsides while eating the wild grasses. He came back with twelve new younger and healthy horses which followed the old horse into the corral.
Word got out in the village of the old farmer’s good fortune and it wasn’t long before people stopped by to congratulate the farmer on his good luck. “How fortunate you are!” they exclaimed. You must be very happy!”
Again, the farmer softly said: “Maybe so, maybe not.”
At daybreak on the next morning, the farmer’s only son set off to attempt to train the new wild horses, but the farmer’s son was thrown to the ground and broke his leg. One by one villagers arrived during the day to bemoan the farmer’s latest misfortune.
“Oh, what a tragedy! Your son won’t be able to help you farm with a broken leg. You’ll have to do all the work yourself, How will you survive? You must be very sad”. they said.
Calmly going about his usual business the farmer again answered, “Maybe so, maybe not.”
Several days later a war broke out. The Emperor’s men arrived in the village demanding that all the young men come with them to be conscripted into the Emperor’s army. The farmer’s son was deemed unfit because of his broken leg.
In the tea house, the villagers again commented “What very good fortune you have!!” as their own young sons were marched away, most likely to their death. “You must be very happy!”
“Maybe so, maybe not,” replied the old farmer as he headed off to work his field alone.
As time went on the broken leg healed but the son was left with a slight limp. Again the neighbors came to pay their condolences. “Oh what bad luck. Too bad for you”!
But the old farmer simply replied; “Maybe so, maybe not…who knows?”
As it turned out the other young village boys had died in the war and the old farmer and his son were the only able bodied men capable of working the village lands.
The old farmer became wealthy and was very generous to the villagers. They said: “Oh how fortunate we are, you must be very happy”, to which the old farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”
What is this story teaching us?
The story is meant to be self-evident in conveying a deeper current of wisdom that runs through all our lives.
Often when things go badly, or at least they seem to, we rail against the Universe. We curse and shout, and bemoan our fate.
The wise man’s replies of ‘maybe’ signify a refusal to name or judge anything that happens. By accepting ‘what is’, he enters into conscious alignment with a higher order, that which he cannot (yet) see or understand.
Ultimately it is impossible for the human mind to understand what place or purpose a seemingly random event has in the tapestry of the whole. From that perspective, there are no ‘accidents’ in the Universe.
Or as Conversations with God puts it, ‘God hasn’t made a mistake in a very, very long time.’
I invite you to remember and meditate on this story often. It will help you to stay even-minded when times are good, and especially when times are bad.
By all means celebrate the good that comes to you, just don’t be attached! And when the bad comes, know that it will be temporary, just as the dark clouds that cover the sun eventually vanish!
Whenever we resist change with our egos and our wills, we become conflicted and stressed; tension and anxiety rule over our confused minds, and an inner war restricts our deeper connection with the whole.
This is not about becoming “passive”, so that we give up our quest to be more than who we are, but about becoming free from limiting perspectives and ego attachments that cause us suffering.
When we have a partial vision, we indulge in a misplaced sense of righteousness, or we play the victim!
When we live fully in this moment, we move into a deep state of trust that the mind knows absolutely nothing about, trust that the “Universe is unfolding as it should”. (Desiderata).
In Lak’ech,
Jaime T
Medical Intuitive, Master Sound Healer, Yoga Teacher, Health & Life Coach
Founder of Energy Therapy and Total Frequency Shift
Get coached on the deeper teachings of the Law of Attraction, and Living from Presence.
Have your Akashic Records cleaned so you can live your life fearlessly. 20 years serving 1000s of clients and students worldwide as a medical intuitive, sound healer and Reiki master, with featured appearances on Shift Network
Browse popular uplifting quotes to start or end your day on the right note! https://www.energytherapy.biz/popular-quotes/
Disclaimer: the information provided by Jaime Tanna/Energy Therapy via its website, social channels and email, or any other channels of communication, is for general informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional health or medical advice or treatment, nor should it be relied upon for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any health consideration. Consult with a licensed doctor/GP/health care practitioner before altering or discontinuing any medications, treatment or care.