Reflection of the Mind: A Journey Toward True Success in Life
Many events unfold around us.
Even if it’s the same event, the eyes that observe it determine its nature.
One person’s words may wound another’s heart, while the same words may evoke a different feeling in someone else.
Two Zen monks were watching a flag fluttering in the wind.
One monk said, “Did you see how fast the flag is moving?”
The other replied, “No, no the wind is blowing fast, the flag isn’t moving.”
As they debated, their guru passed by and said, “Disciples! Neither the flag moves nor the wind blows only your mind is moving.”
The event is singular, but the difference in perception gives rise to different mental signals.
Once this is understood, it becomes easier to comprehend all events in life.
Life is like a mirror.
What we reflect in it is what we see.
If the mind is calm, the world appears calm.
If the mind is disturbed, the world seems chaotic.
Thus, the practice of mastering the mind is the beginning of true wisdom.
A common trait among most people is judging others based on outward appearance.
I’m reminded of a short story I read:
In a village, there lived a man whom everyone considered a fool based on his actions and appearance.
When shown two objects one small but valuable, and the other large but cheap he would always choose the larger, cheaper one.
The villagers would gather and mock him for fun.
One day, a friend of a villager visited and was told about this “fool.”
They summoned him and offered a small five-rupee coin and a large one-rupee coin.
He happily chose the one-rupee coin.
Later, the visitor privately tested him again this time offering a diamond ring in one hand and a large fifty-paise coin in the other.
Again, the man chose the larger coin.
The visitor asked, “Why didn’t you take the diamond ring?”
The man replied, “Sir, I’m poor. Every day, ten people play this game with me.
If I choose the valuable item once, they’ll stop playing.
Then I’ll lose my daily income of a few rupees!”
The visitor was stunned. He smiled inwardly, realizing who the real fool was.
This story teaches us that beyond visible intelligence, understanding context is vital.
Sometimes what appears foolish may stem from deep thought.
Judging a person by appearance or action is flawed.
Truths we grasp today may be disproven tomorrow.
Accepting this without agitation is the maturity that defines success in life.
Our knowledge is like a child playing on the shore,
Delighted by finding a pretty shell or a unique stone,
Unaware of the vast, mysterious ocean of wonders yet to be explored.
If we realize that knowledge has no bounds,
We’ll always remain learners.
Instead of saying “I know,”
We’ll live with the awareness that “There’s more to know.”
Likewise, we revel in the small space called “I,”
Delighting in the desire called “mine,”
Unaware of the vast world before us,
Where wonders lie buried in the ocean of public good.
What does it mean to succeed?
Is it always being first in everything?
If you can do something better than before,
That itself is a personal victory.
Success isn’t about defeating others in competition.
It’s about surpassing yourself.
If you do better today than yesterday,
That’s true progress.
And when you grow this way, external success will follow naturally.
My dear young ones, understand all this well,
And you will become truly successful in life.
You can do it.
With love,
Sakthi Sakthithasan
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