Rethink 4 blind men & an elephant

Several citizens ran into a hot argument about God and different religions, and each one could not agree to a common answer. So they came to the Lord Buddha to find out what exactly God looks like.

The Buddha asked his disciples to get a large magnificent elephant and four blind men. He then brought the four blind to the elephant and told them to find out what the elephant would "look" like.

The first blind men touched the elephant leg and reported that it "looked" like a pillar. The second blind man touched the elephant tummy and said that an elephant was a wall. The third blind man touched the elephant ear and said that it was a piece of cloth. The fourth blind man hold on to the tail and described the elephant as a piece of rope. And all of them ran into a hot argument about the "appearance" of an elephant.

The Buddha asked the citizens: "Each blind man had touched the elephant but each of them gives a different description of the animal. Which answer is right?"

This classic Zen story encourages you to reflect on deeper meanings in your own judgment, emotions and understanding about unconditional love.  Share some of your revelations.

Comments

[Lance]

Hi Liara,
Just because we can't see something/someone (like God), doesn't mean that what other's believe is "wrong". In fact, maybe many are right - and that's a pretty great thing. I find much comfort in this story...

[Liara Covert]

Lance, all stories are full of wisdom. Your level of self-awareness and open-mindedness determine what you discern at any given moment. As you appreciate this story, I encourage you to check out other examples in this thread. Each one invites you to open the mind.

[Alexys Fairfield]

Hi Liara,

All of us are God, yet none of us are God.
God's wisdom speaks through all of us at all times through our words and actions. We are forever evolving into our beingness.

[Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord]

I appreciated Lance's comment (he's very thoughtful), and also love this story.

I've learned in the past year that unconditional love has a "feeling" to it (right in the center of our chest) and can actually produce - of its own accord and not through any thoughts whatsoever - a physical sensation around our fourth chakra.

I've also learned that unconditional love applies not only to people, but to all things (living and inanimate).

Joyful Monday to you!

[Mark]

Liara,
This is a great parable, it does help us so much to understand how peoples perspective can be so different. I have used this parable in my teachings many times. Thanks for sharing this again today.

[Jannie Funster]

I'd like very much to open my mind but what if My God is offended?

[therapydoc]

Thanks, I like the story!

[Patricia]

I so enjoy this story - and there are sometimes too many elephants in a room - thank you for the reminder of this lesson

[Liara Covert]

Patricia, elephants are often viewed as reminders of things we already know but temporarily forget. People sometimes associate tying white strings around their finger with the elepant who never forgets. As you keeps an open mind, lessons find you.

[Liara Covert]

therapydoc, your visit and insights are always welcome.

[Liara Covert]

Jannie, fear holds people back from taking initiatives. Fear is also created in the mind as an illusion to prevent you from doing what comes naturally. As you become more discerning, you come to realize nothing you do offends that which loves you faithfully and unconditionally. To dissolve the judge within is to open your mind to a different kind of perception.

[Liara Covert]

Alexys, your insights reframe this elephant story in a very meaningful way. To discern you are nothing and everything at the same time can seem quirky, amusing, incredible and perfectly logical, all in the same moment.

[Liara Covert]

Mark, appreciate your insight. As you say, everyone has their own understanding and perception of a given experience. Every stage is a step closer to expanded awareness.

[Jannie Funster]

Some nice people in our neighborhood come to my house and tell me there is only One True God and one way to worship and one way into an afterlife.

Even though I think of all good and helping intentions as what God and love are about, the teachings from the visitors have caused a little doubt and confusion in me as to whether I'm worshipping "correctly" and worshipping the "right" deity. And I am told I will burn in hell if I don't believe and join them. It is unsettling. What if I actually know nothing? What if I'm doomed in blackness forever? Yuck!

[Liara Covert]

Jannie, rest assured, right and wrong ways of doing things do not exist. Every experience is meaningful or not depending on how you choose to feel, on how you choose to perceive and value it. What people say does not matter unless you believe that it does. Whenever you permit fear to control the mind, then you permit yourself to learn lessons you are born in this existence to learn.

[Jannie Funster]

Yes, what people say does not matter unless I believe it does, thanks heartily for the reminder.

Since I'm already tattooed from head-to-toe with your wisdom, I guess I'll have to start getting t-shirts printed up.

:)

[Michele]

Thank you Liara and Jannie for your exchange. Between Jannie's wise and heart-felt questions and Liara's inspired responses, I feel lighter. Thank you both.
Peace,
Michele