Ahimsa - The Businessman & the Guru
There once was a successful businessman who enjoyed his work and gave service to many people. He had many skills and used them to help others in many practical ways. He gained much pleasure from his busy life and was happy and contented.
One day, a man spoke to him and said, "You are a guru. You should be meditating and fasting and purifying your soul in preparation for great works". And he heeded the man and commenced meditating and fasting and gave himself a new "spiritual" name. And he developed many austere practices.
So for many years he meditated and fasted while he neglected his business.
He travelled to far off lands. He saw the common people in Tibet, where many gurus are believed to live and where spiritual enlightenment can be found. And the common people lived humble lives working hard and caring for their families. And he spoke to the common people in many lands, and told them his spiritual name, and they were too busy with their daily living to listen or to meditate with him or to follow him.
So, he returned home and spoke to the common people and told them his spiritual name. Some said, "We are not able to join you in meditation and fasting as we are too busy with our daily living, our work, our family, our friends, and gaining many rich experiences. We wish you well". Others turned away in haste.
And whenever he had doubts, the man would come to him and tell him, "You are a great guru. You should meditate and fast and gain spiritual strength".
So he travelled in his own land to many beautiful and peaceful places. And the common people would politely listen to him and tell him, "We are busy with our work and our family and the company of our friends, and we wish you well on your journey".
His business had been neglected and he sold his property for much less than it had been worth. He went to live in a small village in the mountains, where he could meditate and fast without disturbance. And he spoke to the common people and told them his spiritual name. Some politely listened to him as they went about their work and caring for their family and friends.
He spoke to an old woman about his meditating and fasting and his austere practices. The old woman replied, "I am too busy caring for my family, my grandchildren, my great grandchildren and my friends. I wish you well on your quest".
And he continued meditating and fasting for many years. He was now elderly and nearing the end of his life. He had misgivings about his journey. One day the man came to him and asked him what troubled him. He said, "For many years I have meditated and fasted and told people my spiritual name and told them of my practices. They are too busy with their work, their lives, their family and friends to listen. I wonder if you have led me astray".
And the man replied, "All these years, you have not recognised me. I am your ego".
