Recently I talked about keeping a meditation journal, so I decided to go through some of my old journals, you know just for fun. I was reading it lightly and I stumbled upon a long forgotten story which was so influential that it changed my thinking about power, strength and non-violence forever. I thought I’d share it with you:
I cannot believe this happened! We used to be best friends and look what he did today, he hit me when my back was turned at him – literally! I was walking down form school to library with my friends when suddenly something hit back of my head, I turned around in pain and shock and it was him – the guy who was once my best friend!
As if this wasn’t enough, he hit me again, and to my amazement I didn’t hit him back?! I mean, why? I felt a strong surge of peace overcastting the anger within me. I looked him in the eyes and shouted at him, ‘What’s the matter with you?!” on this he turned and walked away and so did I.
Later I spent whole day wondering and regretting, why didn’t I hit him back? Why didn’t I teach that ********** a lesson? Why?!
But every time I come to think of this, instead of feeling angry I feel somewhat pity. Not exactly pity but a mixture of care and forgiveness and softness. I don’t know what it is. Why am I not angry?
I am not going to forgive him, or should I say I wasn’t – if I were angry. But I am confused and a bit frustrated sometimes. What the heck is going on?!
2 Weeks Later…
I cannot believe this has happened. Is that the power of what Christ called ‘turn the other cheek’? He apologized in front of whole class. Wow! I mean I’ve never seen anyone apologizing.
Well I never hit him back after that, I almost forgot about the incident after that day and here he comes and apologizes. No one in the world has ever heard sorry from him. And guess what I said, “Sorry? What for?”. Hello! He hit you! Twice! Without any reason and you didn’t revenge! Will you forgive him just like that? Not punch him in the face?
No! Instead I herd these words flowing out of my mouth, “It’s Ok!” and guess what I saw – maybe tears – in his eyes and smile on my face. That was super weird.
Later – How peaceful I am feeling. Now I feel like that it wasn’t a mission of taking revenge from him. It was a mission of me forgiving him which made the difference. Now I know the word for what I was feeling that day, that pity + forgiveness + care thing – compassion. It’s new and it’s powerful. It has changed a person for God’ sake.
I am no where near him but this reminds me of Buddha – he walked to Angulimaal (one who killed people and kept their fingers) he said ‘Stop!’ and Buddha replied, ‘I’ve stopped, when will you?’ and he repented for his sins and changed for good.
This story never made any sense – how can a sentence (so simple like that) can change people? But now I know – it can and it has. It has changed me more than anyone else and that made a huge difference.
Well I am not sure how will you react to this but you can be hones. I’ve edited much part of it and changed the language a bit as I often use words from Urdu and Sanskrit in my diary.
The changed that took place was magic of many things, including meditation.
What is your Story
It’s your time now, what’s your story? Have you noticed anything? Do you stop in middle of useless conversation and realize you’d prefer to be quiet? Have you ever surprised yourself by feeling unexpected peace? Have you ever spoken some words that amazed you? Share your story with us here. Do mail me.
Photo Credit: Marco Gomes cabelo curto by Marco Gomes, on Flickr
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{ 4 comments }
allzz well, if it ends well..
but i want d start well too…
why it cant be like 'every thing is alright every time'
why it just cant be perfect????
Wow! Wonderful question Ankit.
Here is why: All is not perfect because our world is full of contrasting experience i.e. full of both good and bad, old and young, wise and fool and contrast is never perfect. However it is this contrast that gives rise to new desires within us, It makes us choose and that is the basis of life.
If all would be perfect when nothing can improve then you'd be dead. Not dead as in physical dead. Dead as in your soul is dead – which is not possible.
Though you have option you can be both happy about the thigns that make you happy or sad about things that make you sad – all a choice.
allzz well, if it ends well..
but i want d start well too…
why it cant be like 'every thing is alright every time'
why it just cant be perfect????
Wow! Wonderful question Ankit.
Here is why: All is not perfect because our world is full of contrasting experience i.e. full of both good and bad, old and young, wise and fool and contrast is never perfect. However it is this contrast that gives rise to new desires within us, It makes us choose and that is the basis of life.
If all would be perfect when nothing can improve then you'd be dead. Not dead as in physical dead. Dead as in your soul is dead – which is not possible.
Though you have option you can be both happy about the thigns that make you happy or sad about things that make you sad – all a choice.
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