I was taking my breakfast in a restaurant this morning when a Buddhist Bhikkhu walked in barefoot and in the traditional saffron robe. As he walked towards me, I noticed him looking over the counter at the prepared dishes. As he came to my table, I asked him if he wanted some food. He nodded. I called the shop assistant over and asked him to pack whatever he wanted. Surprisingly, he did not take the packed food from the shop assistant but instead gestured for him to leave it on my table. He then gestured to me to hand it over to him. I did as requested. He then began to say a lengthy prayer that I could not comprehend. I guess he had called upon Lord Buddha to bless me. He thanked me and walked out of the restaurant without stopping over at others' tables. Yesterday, as I walked in a park, talking to myself about how the scenic park that had its pond and wildlife was destroyed as a housing scheme was coming up in its midst, I heard footsteps behind me. As a Malay man about my age walked past me, he politely asked permission to bypass. I tapped his shoulder as if giving way to him. Suddenly, a surge of energy passed through me, just as whenever I reach out to the Prapanjam. I had goosebumps all over me. Neither of us spoke further.
After taking a long walk, seeing many things take place both far and near and right before our eyes and under our noses, wishing we could help bring a change, hoping to reroute the stream, we arrive at the wisdom that says "Let it be". Agathiyar tells us that our responsibility towards a child is until we raise them. We should learn to back off and let them grow up at their own pace. As the Beatles say, "Don't carry the world on your shoulder," that is what we all tend to do. I remember my late mother's favourite was John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads". My elder brother was a fan of the Beatles and their songs. Songs bring solace, peace, and also bring us to a state of acceptance. I have come to believe that what politicians and spiritual and religious leaders failed to do, music has. It has brought souls together, crossing the various and numerous divides that these leaders have created. While the political arena is tense with fiery words and the religious and spiritual discourses filled with fear and suppression, it is in music concerts that the soul sings and dances to the tune without fear or favor.
Even the holiest man shall have a weakness for it is that which binds him to this gross body and world. This can be attachment, ego, sexual urges, or even a simple thing such as anger. Once the last of these strands of the rope is shredded, he can leave his mortal body and return to the world of souls. I recall the moments when Tavayogi took me to three religious and spiritual leaders to educate me on the nature and desires of these gurus. The first held on to the establishment that his guru left behind without naming his successor, upon his sudden demise. The second held on to a temple that he had built. Only the third, who was wrapped in a blanket in the cold of Ooty, was a Gnani, said Tavayogi.