I've always had a fascination with river pebbles. I used to remember the earlier days when I followed my late-Dad on his daytrips to the outskirts of the Klang Valley and Negri Sembilan with the land surveyors which involved some trekking. These trips would always have me on a search for river stones and pebbles which would then be added as decorative items to Mom's garden and in the vases and jars around the house.
Feeling sentimental and picking up a particular stone from the crystal jar at the altar recently and remembering an article I read about river pebbles...... I couldn't help too but to notice the stone that has been in the water for all that time, yet is not penetrated by the water. If we stop at the stream and pick up a stone out of the water, we know that only the outside of the stone will be wet, while the inside will be dry, untouched by the water. We also know that unlike the stone that has been left in the jar; if that same stone is left in the river that over a long period of time, it will be worn down by the water and that eventually it will become no bigger than a pebble of sand. The stone has no choice does it? it cannot choose to allow the water inside of it or to pass through, the stone simply must sit there and be worn away by the steady stream of water. Now the water on the other hand is fluid and can hit and move around the stone and continue flowing.
As I think on the stone and the water, I have to ask myself, which one am I, am I the stone, rigid, impenetrable, for the most part static, except for when moved by the water ...................... or am I the water, consistently flowing, making my own path, flowing over and around obstacles like the stone, at times, slowing down at crevices, giving life to all that need me for nourishment, changing form and recreating myself along the journey?
Am I the immersed or the one immersing all that I touch?
I choose to be the water! For that is my purpose, to be like the water is to be spirit-centric! At times in my life, I have been the stone and I must say that I was never my authentic self in the role of the stone. I love being the water!
Which are you? What state are you in? Do you find that even now, in some ways you're the stone? If so, what needs to happen for you to become more like the water? Come on, join me in the adventurous fluidity as we traverse the journey of life. ^_^
14 comments:
Well, this is kinda interesting. Stone and water huh. I think I used to be a pure stone last time with a lot of waiting. But now, I'm more towards water lor. Wondering whether it's good being the water, as nothing can stop the water from flowing and you might end up belongs to no where.
awww... ur mind really beautiful, i must meet u one day! constantly meditating and contemplating on everything around u.
i used to b a very solid chunky and heavy stone, now start trying to change to bcum like the water. really wish the process can b faster, but then middle path.... :) thank you so much for the most fulfilling food of thought of the day :)
i wanna be the riverbank. :P
I kinda like those pebbles in the rivers too. It brings a nice serene feeling when you have your feet dipped in a river full of pebbles :D
i prefer to b on the surface of the water.. neither the stone nor the water..mayb tat is why i hav never really belonged any where..oways the outsider
Oh this is nice topic. I prefer to be the bird, so that I can fly faraway and still sit on the stone to drink water below. So who is water and who is stone now?
If the water is constant flowing, will it eventually stop at a point to enjoy what it is doing. As far as i know, i m still the pebbles; thou being at such young age ability to move and adapt is quite essential. I guess i have a long way to learn :)
70% water, 30% stone. Need a rest at times. Ok to be a stone during appropriate times to observe the water. But mostly be water of course.
Also further add. Sometimes life leave us with no choice, u hv to be a stone for the big picture, as long as the outcome is satisfactory.
Am I being overly philosophical?
DAMN! (I am getting old?)
Adoi this Common S'porean is talking like Confucious in young skin. No you are not old yet, but you think like my grandpa. LOL
Twilight, u know wat, i dreamed of my grandpa last night, explaining the theory of water against rock top me.. WAH!!!! Just Kidding!!
You r right!! I talk like 70 yr old. I better get out tonight and deck the bars and rock the floor hard!!!!!
I need my BOOZE!!! arrrrrrgh
Dear All ~ Judging from the comments in here, I conclude that most of us start of as a stone, being in the cradle of our parents care. Growing up & independance makes us more adaptable; our thoughts and actions to be more fluid, more adventurous. The learning path becomes more complicated as we explore the journey of life life with the new found freedom, away from the parents.
KeenYee~ The water does slow down and even stop along the way, when it passes narrow crevices and get caught in temporary puddles. And like the soul, water never stops but goes on an endless journey; at least that's what Buddhism explained. This body of ours is only but a temporary capsule, the soul continues on various rebirths till we reach ultimate liberation of rebirths.
Happy ~ solid chunky? lol so cute , the comment.
I think you are doing very well, my dear dharma bro. We'll surely meet up soon. :)
Medie ~ you can be whatever you wish, and I pray you'll be happy. :)
+Ant+
Nick ~ hey , thanks for droppingby. Yup, I love the jungle streams where the water just flows gently. Loved my picnics.
Beng ~ But you do have huge resposibilities, being the strong Rock of Gibraltar to BengHui and to your students. :)
Twilight ~ ask you "want bread with kaya or marmalade?"...you answer "I want nasi lemak!"..... Mana boleh? Pls try to stick to answering the question, stone or water! :P
Jason ~ you answer already proves of your awareness towards how you are living life. A bud that is blooming to all its glory, soon leaving scents and nourishment to others to enjoy. I'm sure you'll do just fine. :)
Common ~ old doesnt necessarily mean wise. You are certainly very wise and in touch/tune with yourself and your surroundings.
Twilight ~ wise ol' crack-mouthed granny! :P LOLZ I thank you very much for teaching me so much about living life. :)
+Ant+
we watched him growing up ., he has been in the public eye for 45 yrs. Poor MJ, not a great life i would say.
Thanks for sharing Ben. I forgot about the song oledi. Glad to hear it again.
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