My niece recently read this to her yoga class. It’s from Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening.
The Spider and the Sage
“I would rather be fooled than not believe.”
In India, there is a story about a kind, quiet man who would pray in the Ganges River every morning. One day after praying, he saw a poisonous spider struggling in the water and cupped his hands to carry it ashore. As he placed the spider on the ground, it stung him. Unknowingly, his prayers for the world diluted the poison.
The next day the same thing happened. On the third day, the kind man was knee deep in the river, and sure enough, there was the spider, legs frantic in the water. As the man went to lift the creature yet again, the spider said, “Why do you keep lifting me? Can’t you see I will sting you every time, because that is what I do.” And the kind man cupped his hands about the spider, replying, “Because that is what I do.”
There are many reasons to be kind, but perhaps none is as compelling as the spiritual fact that it is what we do. It is how the inner organ of being keeps pumping. Spiders sting. Wolves howl. Ants build small hills that no one sees. And human beings lift each other, no matter the consequence. Even when other beings sting.
Some say this makes us a sorry lot that never learns, but to me it holds the same beauty as berries breaking through ice and snow every spring. It is what quietly feeds the world. After all, the berries do not have any sense of purpose or charity. They are not altruistic, or self-sacrificing. They simply grow to be delicious because that is what they do.
As for us, if things fail, we will reach for them. If things break, we will try to put them together. If loved ones cry, we will try to soothe them – because that is what we do. I have often reached out, and sometimes it feels like a mistake.
Sometimes, like the quiet man lifting the spider, I have been stung. But it doesn’t matter, because that is what I do. That is what we do. It is the reaching out that is more important than the sting. In truth, I’d rather be fooled than not believe. 🕷
Thank you for sending this beautiful story by Mark Nepo. In its seeming simplicity it carries a world of
truth and life lived in harmony with all.
That is what I do.
I will carry it with me in my heart as I go about business this sunny day.
Miriam
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Beautifully said, thank you Miriam.
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What a wonderful story. I wish it were that easy and natural to be kind to everyone, even when they hurt you. Perhaps with practice.
P.S: I like how you have matching photos and texts for every post.
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We try but you’re right that sometimes kindness towards the hurtful can be difficult. I guess we learn how not to be from them.
Some days the photos and text match much better than others but thanks. Your lovely blog’s always a treat to visit because you have wonderful taste and a great collection of art. Wish you were here, I’ll be visiting the local art gallery tomorrow. 😉
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Aww, thank you. That’s very kind of you. I hope you see some great artworks and even take some pictures. I’ll be with you in spirit, asking you about how the paintings make you feel. 😉
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🙂
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Yes, the reaching out is more important than the sting! 🙂
Great story!
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True, thanks Tom. 🙂
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What a beautiful story. Wonderful food for thought on this Sunday morning.
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I’m glad you liked it Lisa, thank you. 🙂
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❤️
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❤
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