DUMPING OUR MENTAL BAGGAGE
It is said that after enlightenment, no ritual, formal prayer or practice
is required. In fact for an enlightened person, both knowledge and
ignorance are compared to thorns.
In villages, a thorn is used to extract another thorn that has gone into
our flesh. After the intruding thorn is poked out, both thorns are
useless and are thrown away, lest they puncture our skin again by
accident.
A man received a letter after a long time from his home. Unfortunately
the letter was misplaced. Then began a frantic research and finding
the letter became the most important goal of his life at that moment.
The letter was found and the man read it. Along with the routine
details, there was request for five seers of sandesh and a piece of
white cloth.
The letter which was the most important thing for the man a few
seconds back, was now of no consequence at all. Action was needed
next for procuring the items and arranging for dispatch. The letter
could be thrown away.
This is true of life as well. We unnecessarily carry on our shoulders
old items, thoughts and practices, which were required once, but
having served their purpose, need not bother on further.
The concept is that we should have no attachment to the means of
our progress in the journey of life, not even knowledge, which warp
ego.
Taken furthe3r, it means shedding mental baggage and moving on
positively.
-DR. NAVRAJ SINGH SANDHU