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A Sufi gnani gathered his disciples together and showed them a lake. The lake was turbid and muddy with all the world’s dust, dirt, filth, and insects, which had been carried there by the wind, by rain, and by flood. “Come along, my disciples,” he said. “There is water here. Drink it.” Most of the disciples complained that it was either dirty, or muddy, or turbid and therefore unfit to drink. The sheikh was watching as each of them spoke his mind. There was one disciple, however, who had wisdom. Dipping his two hands into the water, he pushed the dirt on the surface to either side. The dirt, dust, and insects separated off, and then he scooped the clean water in his cupped hands and drank. Then, as all the others watched, he rose and bowed in obeisance to the sheikh. The sheikh embraced him, saying, “You are a wise disciple.” This is what the world is. Where there is a sheikh there will also be the difficulties of the world. All the dirt that comes with the rains will fall into that lake, and there will be filth, insects, and foul odor. The floodwaters will pour into it. All the happiness and sorrow of the world will come. Ghosts and demons will come, as well as hell, maya, and karma. Everything will collect in that lake. But anyone who is doing service to God, service to the sheikh, and service to people must not be discouraged by these things. With his two hands of iman, of faith, certitude, and determination, he should push the dirt aside and drink of the true water, the water of grace, the water of rahmat, or infinite benevolence. Then he should come and perform his service to the sheikh. The sheikh will embrace him because the disciple has not seen differences. Such a disciple does not look at the world for the filth and evils of the world. Pushing them all aside, he takes only the pure water. He is the one who will do the triple service to the sheikh. He is the true devotee, the one who will merge with God and thus give peace to the people. He is the one who will show compassion and love to the people. He is the truly wise person, the true disciple. That is what the gnana sheikh said. Anyone who is not in this state, anyone who does not push aside the filth and drink only of the truth of the sheikh, will gather all the dirt, atoms, and filth of the world. He keeps on digging and digging in the lake, muddying the water. Instead of trying to clear the water so that he can drink it, he is stirring up the mud. He is the one who disturbs the lake. Unable to quench his troubles and to rid himself of his birth and his karma, he will thoroughly disturb the water and then he will hand it over to the vultures. Anyone who continually digs up the lake will never correct himself. It is very difficult for anyone who is in this state to become peaceful. This is what the Sufi sheikh said. You and I must reflect on this. Water is common to all. The wise man is also common to all. The water will quench everybody’s thirst and remove everybody’s dirt and stench. Its peacefulness will give peace and tranquility to all. Even when dirt collects in the water, the water will push it down to the bottom or beat it against the shore. The wise person will always remove the surface dirt and drink the pure water. He is the one who will merge with God and the sheikh. He will get rid of his karma and obtain the station of gnanam and paradise. This is what the gnana sheikh says. You and I must think about it.
Article Source: http://www.wisdomarticles.com
Muhaiyaddeen, M.R. Bawa. The Golden Words of a Sufi Sheikh. Philadelphia: Fellowship Press, 1981, 2006. 444-446. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen was over 120 before he passed in 1986. He wrote many books on wisdom and God, but The Golden Words of a Sufi Sheikh (www.religionspirituality.org) stands apart. Through his wisdom comes explanations of life’s mysteries. It’s a guidebook to cherish
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