I knew it was true for wise men. What I didn't believe in 2003 is that it was as true for wise men as for everyday guys -- utterly flawed -- and gay like me. That night, my opinion changed completely. Since that moment, I have not looked at life the same, and my entire life has changed. I am the "traveler" mentioned:
The Simple Wooden Cup
One night in Tibet, a traveler prayed for guidance. What advice would Spirit give to help us understand desire? When we focus too much on what we crave no matter the cost? In a dream, Spirit lifted a simple cup that Tibetans use to drink yak butter tea, and said:
"If everything that matters most to you could fit inside this simple wooden cup, then what would you put there? Maybe riches you would put inside. Then when you grow hungry, you could grind them up and have enough food to tide you for the day.
Or maybe all you need is a few drops of water. Then everything you’ve ever wanted could be reflected inside the cup, and you would have even more.
But what if you get thirsty? Then you can drink the water, and take inside the reflection of all those things, and the memories will become part of you. And still you will have all the space you need to fill the cup again and again because memories take up no room at all. There will always be enough room in the cup for more, and therefore enough food to sustain you still.
What if somebody tries to take the cup and they succeed? This is not a problem. Because this is the time you realize that you already have everything you need, and you become the vessel.
Today, you already have everything that matters.
If you can understand the truth in this moment, then why won’t the same be true in the next? Or tomorrow? Or the next day?"
The Simple Wooden Cup
One night in Tibet, a traveler prayed for guidance. What advice would Spirit give to help us understand desire? When we focus too much on what we crave no matter the cost? In a dream, Spirit lifted a simple cup that Tibetans use to drink yak butter tea, and said:
"If everything that matters most to you could fit inside this simple wooden cup, then what would you put there? Maybe riches you would put inside. Then when you grow hungry, you could grind them up and have enough food to tide you for the day.
Or maybe all you need is a few drops of water. Then everything you’ve ever wanted could be reflected inside the cup, and you would have even more.
But what if you get thirsty? Then you can drink the water, and take inside the reflection of all those things, and the memories will become part of you. And still you will have all the space you need to fill the cup again and again because memories take up no room at all. There will always be enough room in the cup for more, and therefore enough food to sustain you still.
What if somebody tries to take the cup and they succeed? This is not a problem. Because this is the time you realize that you already have everything you need, and you become the vessel.
Today, you already have everything that matters.
If you can understand the truth in this moment, then why won’t the same be true in the next? Or tomorrow? Or the next day?"
© Brett Cobb, 2003, Library of Congress, excerpted;
reprinted in "Toward Spirit," Vessel House Publishing, 2008
I continue to be challenged by desire. What happened next, I would never have thought true for me... (to be continued)
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