Square Peg has an interesting post on his blog. If you see my comment on that post, you will realise my nostalgia for Samsonite luggage, In the good old Socialist days of India Samsonite luggage was much sought after and anyone with a piece was much envied.
Things changed somewhat after VIP an Indian luggage maker came on the scene in the early 70s of the last century as they offered equivalent luggage and pent up demand ensured that they succeeded and are a hugely successful luggage maker even today.
But I am running away from the purpose of this post. Square Peg’s post reminded me of this beautiful Sufi story.
Some one saw Mulla Nasruddin searching for something on the ground. “What have you lost Mulla?” he asked. “My key,” said the Mulla. So they both went down on their knees and looked for it. after a time the other man asked, “Where exactly did you drop it?” “In my own house.” “Then why are you looking here?” “There is more light here than inside my house.”
This Sufi Parable could stand as a cautionary tale for anyone seeking for the keys, leave aside just one key, to locks of knowledge of cultures other than one’s own. I see this happen often in my own case where I try and find keys to problems using my own value system or cultural background, because, my light is there and not where the problem is. Considerable time can be lost if Mulla Nasruddin’s story does not come to mind in time to jolt me out of my comfort zone.
oh rummy.
what an excellent story to illustrate judging others by our own “light”.
i love that. a mammoth complication solved by the simplicity of looking at it in a different “light!”
often easy to say. hard to remember to do.
tammy j recently posted..friends in great places
The Mullah’s stories from Rumi are really remarkable parables.
I always thought the key to understanding other cultures was only to be found in Hollywood.
Looney recently posted..A Fishing Story
You must try Bollywood too Looney.
I still have some Samsonite keys even though I gave the suitcases away. The keys bring back some wonderful memories.
So do I. It is really funny how though we have discarded the suitcases, we still have the keys!
The very first Samsonite briefcase I owned ( very proudly ) was presented to me in London by my late sister in 1970 . I Though I stopped using it many years go ( lost the key !) I still keep it . Those days it was referred to by some as a “James Bond briefcase” ( Sean Connery genre ) since he had one in his films out of which a knife would spring out ! Mine of course had no such thing – if it did I would have stabbed myself several times !
I have been using a pure leather case for decades now. Not the same one, but leather it has to be. My late father when he moved in with me, brought his Samsonite briefcase with him which was also of the 70s vintage. That was one piece of luggage that I took some time on before deciding to give away after his death.
Ah but you can shed a new light on the issue byusing your unique perspectives – that is not a bad thing.
You will make a great business manager when I finally open my ashram Shackman.
Dear Alphonso, I do have a beautiful key. But no lock.
U
Ursula recently posted..Wasteland
Dear BB, (Let me see if you can figure that one out!),
Your avatar on all your comments strikes one for its locks more than anything else.
You always unlock the doors, my friend, to some fresh enlightenment.
XO
WWW
wisewebwoman recently posted..Energy and Positivity.
You flatter me WWW. The insight offered there is nothing that I came up with on my own. All spiritual teachers use that metaphor.
Yep, that key was under the bed with widow Twankey’s lost coin from Luke 15. Neither of them read The Alchemist, otherwise they would have known the answer was right on their own doorstep.
Incredible how much there is in common isn’t it?
Yes, but we Irish know that the grass is not always greener on the other side
Grannymar recently posted..Food Monday ~ Pulled Pork
If the other side will get as much rain as the Irish get, it will be!