Truth

June 5, 2023

There is saying that many believe to be true: “You win some, you lose some, and some get rained out.” When the ego’s wishes come true, we win and the ego is pleased. However, many of its wishes don’t come true and it loses, leaving it sad, disappointed or even angry. When the hoped-for possibility is rained out again, the ego is hurt, disappointed or angry. 

For me, the spiritual interpretation of that truism goes something like this: Whether you win, lose or whether what we hope-for vanishes, that is reality. In the spiritual life, we meet the reality of our losses and wins without interpreting them through the ego. Instead, we accept reality for what it is, and trust the divine mystery.  

There is an ancient Asian story of a wise old man accused of making a maiden pregnant. The village officers forced him to take the young girl into his home and raise the “bastard” child as his punishment. The wise old man did not complain and the three became a family. One day, the officers returned to the wise old man for the maiden and her child because they had discovered the birth father. The wise man had let go of his attachments and accepted reality.

If I had been the old wise man, my ego would not have allowed me to lie down and let the officers punish me once again. But the wise old man knew a spiritual truth that kept him hopeful and peaceful instead of becoming bitter. He knew that the love between him and his “daughter” and their “son” would never die and that they would always be in his life through the undying power of spiritual love. And it was!

Inquiry: How are you like the wise old man?

Dear God,

For me, taking what comes is not easy for my ego. However, my soul can do it with your spiritual empowerment. For your empowerment i am so thankful. Amen.

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