In Search of the Absolute Truth

Standing on the cliff of the green mountain I looked around.

In the middle of that night, the full moon seemed very close - like never before. The milky white luster was sprinkling down in that rich landscape.

This world is so beautiful. The moon lit meadows, the dense valleys, the medicinal breeze.

Taking a deep breath I looked down. There is that deep blue lake. Like the loosely tied glittering garment of the goddess.  Captivatingly calm. Alluring to the eyes. Its mild tides still caressing the already smoothened rocks. Few crabs are there clenching on the rock clefts.

I have been standing alone on this cliff for years now. When I came here, I was not alone. I had a bunch of friends with me. We were celebrating our life -  celebrating the days and nights like never before. We were happy like those birds flying above the trees. But soon, one by one started to jump down. Deep down into the abysmal lake. Few slipped, few jumped and few others seemed to be pulled down. I watched them wondering what they go through.

Now I am the only one left. Occasionally at a far distance I would see my friends in the lake swimming and calling out to me to join them.

“Jump, why are you still standing alone there !”  -  they would yell with a mischievous smile.

Few of them have gone deep below the lake, I have not seen them after that. Some are there resting on the far distant rocks in the lake, tired, yet waving to me.

But no one has come back to the shore.

What is in this lake? Why is it so enticing? Why are all my friends calling me?

They are laughing at me for standing alone!

Are all enjoying out there? But, if it is so beautiful, how are those crabs there? is there filth too ?

Again, I looked far into the sky. The little twinkle of the stars is so soothing. It is really rich here. I might be alone. But there is that essence of peace here.

The flow of my thoughts was suddenly disrupted by a deep voice.

“Son!”

I turned around. There is the old man who often visits me with his words of wisdom – head shaved, wearing a saffron garment looking at me with his rich kind eyes.

“What are you thinking so deep?”

“No, I was just thinking about this lake and my friends” – I replied.

“Why don’t you too join them?”

“Why do you too ask this same question? I am supremely happy here and feel pristine peace in each and every moment. They why should I?”

“Look my son.” The old man said placing his warm hands over my shoulders.

“This human life is meant for salvation. You are here to search for it and you should strive every moment of your life to reach that veritable state. And for that you should experience your life in totality. Just like a stagnant stream cannot reach the sea a static life cannot reach the Supreme Almighty. This is not the way for you.”

“They why don’t you too jump ?” – I asked back.

“Who said I have not? But unlike others, I know how to come back to the shore.”

“Then how do you come back? None of my friends have come back once they have jumped down – Please teach me”

“Nobody has asked me this question. Many asked me how to jump. But no one has so far asked me how to come back to the shore. I am surprised you asked it!”

And he continued -

“Dear, first, you let go of all your fears and jump off this cliff into nothingness – Do not fear the depth. Do not struggle in those tides. Neither should you try to swim over it – What you see below is nothing when compared to what you can find inside you.

Like the lotus in the pond, the canoe in the river – just float in this lake experiencing everything, irrespective of good or bad, and importantly accepting nothing as the real truth. Nothing can bother you then. Nothing can drown you.

Soon you too will join me and we together will be soaking in the moon lit night in real truth. Go my dear son. You can surely get through this and come back to me unscathed. Reach your salvation. Reach the ultimate peace. Convert your greatest fear into your biggest opportunity. Go and come back soon. I am here waiting for you, to be with you.”

I took few steps back. Looked again at those benevolent eyes of the old man. With prayers I took that sprint. From that cliff I leaped down – With my toes up, heads down – in search of the Absolute Truth.