Guest guest Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 " There is a story of a traveller who was returning to his home after a journey to a distant country. At nightfall, he arrived at the entrance of a vast forest. Unable to either delay his journey or retrace his steps, he decided to traverse the dark, sullen woodland. Out of nowhere, an old shepherd appeared. The traveller asked the shepherd the way. " Alas! " cried the shepherd. " The way is very difficult. The forest is crisscrossed with hundreds of paths winding in every direction. And all the paths except one lead to the Great Abyss that surrounds the woods. Moreover, it is filled with robbers and wild beasts. Almost everyday we find the remains of some unfortunate traveller. Out of compassion, I have stationed myself at the entrance of the forest to assist and direct travellers. My services are at your disposal. I am ready to accompany you, if you so desire. " The traveler accepted the proposal. The shepherd, with a lantern in one hand, held the traveler's arm with the other and guided him through the forest. At dawn, they reached the end of the woods. Suddenly, right before the traveler's feet lay a frightful precipice at the bottom of which he could hear the roar of an angry current. The shepherd said, " This is the Great Abyss. No one knows its depth as it is covered by a thick fog. Thousands of unfortunate people everyday are swallowed up in it. In vain I offer my services to them. They doubt my advice and set out on paths of their own choosing and are devoured by wild animals, murdered by robbers or plunge headlong into the abyss. You see, there is only one bridge by which the abyss can be crossed. Here is the bridge. Pass over it with confidence. On the other side is your true home. " The traveler, overcome with gratitude, crossed the bridge and returned home. Mankind is lost in the dark forest of samsara. Some are devoured by desires, others are murdered by attachments, and still others fall into the Great Abyss of anger, greed, jealousy and hatred. Amma is waiting eagerly for us, with open arms, to lead us on the divine path and show us our true home, the Supreme Self. Yet few are ready to accept Her guidance; few make themselves available for Her assistance. There is an old proverb that says, " He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool. Leave him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is ignorant. Awaken him. He who knows, and knows that he knows, is a master. Follow him. " " by Sripuna from Matruvani Sept.1998 **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Namaste nice improvement. . . .thanks Aum Amriteswaryai Namaha marci **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 Ammachi , Mmrivertalk wrote: > > There is an old proverb that says, > " He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool. Leave him. > He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is ignorant. Awaken him. > He who knows, and knows that he knows, is a master. Follow him. " " > by Sripuna from Matruvani Sept.1998 >>>> i offer the following ? " improvement " ? " He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is [lost in ignorance]. Take pity on him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is beginning to Awaken; encourage him. He who knows, and knows that he knows, is a master. Love Her. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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