Years ago I was told this story of the Maharishi and his student, by a friend of mine one night sitting around a campfire at a motorcycle rally near Camp David. It sat dormant in my mind of stories for a few years- then I started to see the relevance of it in my actual everyday life.
A woman had been a long time student of a Marishi- perhaps 20 years. Her cultivation and her practice was deep. She had incredible reverence for her teacher. Her life was happy and complete.
Then one day , her life became much less. Her sister- whom she loved dearly - became very seriously ill with an undetermined illness. It was very clear it was a dire situation and the student became very despondent over the condition of her sister.
Suddenly, she had an idea. I will go to my teacher - he will know what to do for my sister- oh joy! all is well.
She made the journey to see her teacher, and was feeling very content and optimistic- after this was her teacher and he was so powerful and knowledgeable.
They exchanged hellos and sat.
She spoke - and told him of her sister and all of her concerns and worries.
The teacher sat quietly.
After some time, she asked him- can you please help my sister?
He smiled radiantly and said- you sister is fine.
This startled her and made her somewhat uncomfortable. What kind of a response was this from her teacher? Clearly her sister was not alright!!!!
She sat for a while longer and then spoke- teacher I do not understand - my sister is ill , might possibly die - she is not alright as you say , how can you say that?? Feeling somewhat angry yet better for saying , she sat back.
The teacher was very calm, he sat there for yet some more time and then smiled. When he spoke- he said the same thing. Child - you're sister is alright.
Now she did not what to do - she was on the fringe og fury- she sat simmering. How could her beloved teacher be so wrong and yet answer her this way?? She started questioning him and all she had learned from him over the many. many years.
This exchange went on for quite some time, the teacher calmly replying and the student getting more and more upset.
Finally- she blurted out how can you keep saying that tomer, my sister is not alright she is ill. What are you doing?
Finally, the teacher looked up at her and said
Child you're sister is alright, she is here on this earth for you to learn from, she is very content in her soul. She is fine - it is you that needs healing.
We all experience events, situation which at first - seem puzzling. This story has often helped me to look past the illusion of the situation and into the depth of it. I have found out that frequently- in fact the soul of the person struggling is actually just where it is supposed to be. I have also found that without this story, I was working on an element of judgement- whom I am to presume(judge) that a person's soul is in distress - etc. There has also been many examples - especially my Dad- where I could not figure things out - without this story and then the light bulb went on - ok - this is a lesson for me - Dad is fine - he is showing me.
So thanks to my firend for telling me the story and thanks to Dad- for showing me.
I hope that this may in some way help others.
A woman had been a long time student of a Marishi- perhaps 20 years. Her cultivation and her practice was deep. She had incredible reverence for her teacher. Her life was happy and complete.
Then one day , her life became much less. Her sister- whom she loved dearly - became very seriously ill with an undetermined illness. It was very clear it was a dire situation and the student became very despondent over the condition of her sister.
Suddenly, she had an idea. I will go to my teacher - he will know what to do for my sister- oh joy! all is well.
She made the journey to see her teacher, and was feeling very content and optimistic- after this was her teacher and he was so powerful and knowledgeable.
They exchanged hellos and sat.
She spoke - and told him of her sister and all of her concerns and worries.
The teacher sat quietly.
After some time, she asked him- can you please help my sister?
He smiled radiantly and said- you sister is fine.
This startled her and made her somewhat uncomfortable. What kind of a response was this from her teacher? Clearly her sister was not alright!!!!
She sat for a while longer and then spoke- teacher I do not understand - my sister is ill , might possibly die - she is not alright as you say , how can you say that?? Feeling somewhat angry yet better for saying , she sat back.
The teacher was very calm, he sat there for yet some more time and then smiled. When he spoke- he said the same thing. Child - you're sister is alright.
Now she did not what to do - she was on the fringe og fury- she sat simmering. How could her beloved teacher be so wrong and yet answer her this way?? She started questioning him and all she had learned from him over the many. many years.
This exchange went on for quite some time, the teacher calmly replying and the student getting more and more upset.
Finally- she blurted out how can you keep saying that tomer, my sister is not alright she is ill. What are you doing?
Finally, the teacher looked up at her and said
Child you're sister is alright, she is here on this earth for you to learn from, she is very content in her soul. She is fine - it is you that needs healing.
We all experience events, situation which at first - seem puzzling. This story has often helped me to look past the illusion of the situation and into the depth of it. I have found out that frequently- in fact the soul of the person struggling is actually just where it is supposed to be. I have also found that without this story, I was working on an element of judgement- whom I am to presume(judge) that a person's soul is in distress - etc. There has also been many examples - especially my Dad- where I could not figure things out - without this story and then the light bulb went on - ok - this is a lesson for me - Dad is fine - he is showing me.
So thanks to my firend for telling me the story and thanks to Dad- for showing me.
I hope that this may in some way help others.