A Story About the Guru/Disciple Relationship

[Guest guest]

Several years ago now, one younger devotee gifted me with a book

of writings at Christmas of the religious scholar from Afghanistan and

Turkey, Rumi. One particular story was brought to my attention recently

(by another friend) which I would like to share with you all. In this

piece of prose, Rumi refers to God or the Supreme Divinity as "The

Friend". It is entitled

"Chickpea To Cook":

 

A chickpea leaps almost over the rim of the pot

where it's being boiled.

 

"Why are you doing this to me?"

 

The cook knocks him down with the ladle.

 

"Don't you try to jump out.

You think I'm torturing you.

I'm giving you flavor,

so you can mix with spices and rice

and be the lovely vitality of a human being.

 

Remember when you drank rain in the garden.

That was for this."

 

Grace first. Sexual pleasure,

then a boiling new life begins.

and the Friend has something good to eat.

 

Eventually the chickpea

will say to the cook,

"Boil me some more.

Hit me with the skimming spoon.

I can't do this by myself.

 

I'm like an elephant that dreams of gardens

back in Hindustan and doesn't pay attention

to his driver. You're my cook, my driver,

my way into existence. I love your cooking."

 

The cook says,

"I was once like you,

fresh from the ground. Then I boiled in time,

and boiled in the body, two fierce boilings.

 

My animal soul grew powerful.

I controlled it with practices,

and boiled some more, and boiled

once beyond that,

and became your teacher."

 

Thank you, Savitri, for the book. Even in your absence, you are

teaching me about the Guru! Sincerely, Kamala

[Guest guest]

Several years ago now, one younger devotee gifted me with a book

of writings at Christmas of the religious scholar from Afghanistan

and Turkey, Rumi. One particular story was brought to my attention

recently(by another friend) which I would like to share with you all.

In this piece of prose, Rumi refers to God or the Supreme Divinity as

"The Friend". It is entitled"Chickpea To Cook":A chickpea leaps

almost over the rim of the potwhere it's being boiled."Why are you

doing this to me?"The cook knocks him down with the ladle."Don't you

try to jump out.You think I'm torturing you.I'm giving you flavor,so

you can mix with spices and riceand be the lovely vitality of a human

being.Remember when you drank rain in the garden.That was for

this."Grace first.

Sexual pleasure,then a boiling new life begins.and the Friend has

something good to eat.Eventually the chickpeawill say to the cook,

"Boil me some more.Hit me with the skimming spoon.I can't do this by

myself.I'm like an elephant that dreams of gardensback in Hindustan

and doesn't pay attentionto his driver. You're my cook, my driver,my

way into existence. I love your cooking."The cook says,

"I was once like you,fresh from the ground. Then I boiled in time,and

boiled in the body, two fierce boilings.My animal soul grew powerful.I

controlled it with practices,and boiled some more, and boiledonce

beyond that, and became your teacher." Thank you,

Savitri, for the

book. Even in your absence, you are teaching me about the Guru!

Sincerely, KamalaTo from this group, send an email

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