gift of having enemy is more precious than of having a close friend!
Fable and photo copyright Suresh Gundappa 2007
ZEN Fable by Suresh:
Dad and Son were watching a movie in a crowded theater. It was a usual hero and Villain thriller. Son was totally involved in a movie. While watching movie Son whispered into Dads ear “Daddy, I do not like this Bad guy! he behaves so badly with women, he shoots and kills, he treats people badly, he swears! he does’t have any respect for women!”
As usual Dad frowned and said with a I Know all tone – “Son that’s why he is a bad man in the movie because he has no manners, He is enemy no 1!”
Son listened with all attention and agreed Dad knows a lot about enemies and bad people.
Movie ended, popcorn finished, cola in their stomach they decided to go back home. Son really enjoyed the movie and he was thrilled about the Hero and Bad villain, He was punching his hand in air beating imaginary villain while walking back to Car. Dad was happy coz son was happy!
As they took their car from the parking lot to the main road, suddenly an old woman in a large SUV cut him on the road and overtook him in to the right lane. it seems like the old woman behind the wheel was in a hurry. Dad put his foot down on the brake and pressed his car horn loud enough to be heard by everyone on street.
Immediately out of anger he put his head out of window and screamed ” you bitch! can’t u see where ya goin! U little F*^K, ” and he raised his middle finger in anger. He was furious!
Old lady who cut him on the road lifted her hand from the window, apologized for her behavior and moved fast. Dad was still angry at her and swearing words were still flowing from his mouth. Suddenly he realized his son was watching him all the time and was looking at him in shocked state.
Dad said quietly “It’s OK son! don’t worry about it, I hate it when people cut me and overtake me in a lousy manner!
Son in low tone replied “Dad – You just looked like that movie Villain, he was also behaving bad with Women”
Dad was too stunned to say anything but he did manage to say “sorry”
-End of the fable.
We all have people or character we hate. We do not approve them. Somewhere we feel hurt or agitated by their behavior.
This is the Gift of the enemy: NEVER BE LIKE THEM. If you don’t approve something in the other , be sure you are not the same. Recognize as many characters as enemies. but NEVER BE LIKE THEM. Gift of an enemy is precious, recognize it and make sure you are not the same.
Meditation is art of deep acceptance of life, Meditation is art of gaining true character. Meditation is science of finding enemy withing you.
Love and lots of it dear ones
Suresh
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» gift of having enemy is more precious than of having a close friend!
November 16, 2007 at 7:48 am
If you dont practice what you preach this will happen. it is very true and we must always introspect on these matters so that we atleast reduce some of our bad habits qualities.
nice post and the photo is marvellous thank u sureshji
praneshachar
November 16, 2007 at 8:40 am
So true.
Nicola
November 17, 2007 at 11:10 am
We need negative role models.If we want to improve then all kind of situations will come up.The enemy is just our own reflection.We find anger,jealousy in others because deep down inside we have it ourselves.When we become pure the world seems more beautiful.
preethi
November 18, 2007 at 12:29 am
love the photographs on your blog.
Ujwala
November 19, 2007 at 7:39 am
Suresh, an outstanding picture, thanks for sharing!
However I do not agree on the topc. I never had enemies in my life – it least not that I am aware of that.
))
When I see somebody with some “strange” things, I just laught at it, because in a way even bad things can be just funny.
The worst problem – or actually the source of all problems – it the human ego. And it is actually the best thing to laugh at, anyway!
SO I just take it easy…
Dont you see it same way?
axinia
November 26, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Axinia
Enemy is symbolic, any activity you do without awareness in enemy, if you can be aware of your moments of unawareness then you are you way to silence.
Cheers
suresh
Suresh Gundappa
November 27, 2007 at 7:12 am
Suresh,
This post is fabulous! A simple truth and you couldn’t have said it better.
Love,
Gurdas
gurdas
November 27, 2007 at 11:40 am
I would like to add a little to this discussion. It is similar to what has been said by Preethi. There was a quote (I dont remember the exact lines, wish I could have taken them down). It goes something like this : ” You get angry at some quality in others because you have that quality deeply ingrained in yourself. When you see it displayed by others you are just afraid that the quality might be exposed from yourself, which you might be trying to hide. So, you are actually getting angry on yourself “. If you apply this logic(or lack of it) to this post, it implies that the father might be a reckless driver himself and he gets angry when he sees reckless driving displayed by others. Interesting
destinationinfinity
December 9, 2007 at 4:18 am
Well said Destination infinity! thanks for sharing your wise comments!
Suresh Gundappa
December 9, 2007 at 5:44 am