The Final Illusion

[zeitgeist]

He was a renown spiritual author and in his youth he symbolized the flow. In fact, others had written books about his care free attitude, yet when he grew older there was a surprising restlessness in him that he couldn't explain himself. 'Perhaps I feel that I won't be around forever and I still have so many spiritual nuggets to share', he thought to himself. Still, when he cranked out books by the millions he still minded that he was no longer it on the Amazon bestseller list. He knew he shouldn't care about it, but he did anyway. To add insult to injury, his photo on the book cover suddenly looked old and haggard.

One day when he went out for a swim in the Pacific Ocean he heard a voice 'Let Go!'. 'Let go of what', he thought when he suddenly saw a blue whale rising up to the surface. He was awestruck by the beauty of this scene and he again felt connected to this amazing power that had inspired him all his life. 'Yes', he thought, 'God has an army of teachers who can pass on the gosple; it's time to move on'.

The ego often hides behind the lures of wealth, sex and power, and while some illusions are harder to figure out than others, in the end we do get the point that it is of little use to gain the world if we lose our soul in the process. But then, if your ego convinces you that it is your mission to enlighten the world, it is hard indeed to figure out that this subtle force is actually a hunger for power and recognition wrapped in spiritual clothes. Beware the final illusion and may peace be with you!


Reflections

[darksage]

Originally Posted by zeitgeist

He was a renown spiritual author and in his youth he symbolized the flow. In fact, others had written books about his care free attitude, yet when he grew older there was a surprising restlessness in him that he couldn't explain himself. 'Perhaps I feel that I won't be around forever and I still have so many spiritual nuggets to share', he thought to himself. Still, when he cranked out books by the millions he still minded that he was no longer it on the Amazon bestseller list. He knew he shouldn't care about it, but he did anyway. To add insult to injury, his photo on the book cover suddenly looked old and haggard.

One day when he went out for a swim in the Pacific Ocean he heard a voice 'Let Go!'. 'Let go of what', he thought when he suddenly saw a blue whale rising up to the surface. He was awestruck by the beauty of this scene and he again felt connected to this amazing power that had inspired him all his life. 'Yes', he thought, 'God has an army of teachers who can pass on the gosple; it's time to move on'.

The ego often hides behind the lures of wealth, sex and power, and while some illusions are harder to figure out than others, in the end we do get the point that it is of little use to gain the world if we lose our soul in the process. But then, if your ego convinces you that it is your mission to enlighten the world, it is hard indeed to figure out that this subtle force is actually a hunger for power and recognition wrapped in spiritual clothes. Beware the final illusion and may peace be with you!


Reflections

Thanks for the story! Basically sums up my last 3 days, if I want it to :P

[Wax Frog]

I've always adhered to this rule of thumb - if someone says to me, "I have the Answer", I smile politely and then run like heck.

[zeitgeist]

Originally Posted by darksage

Thanks for the story! Basically sums up my last 3 days, if I want it to :P

Hopefully including the swim in the Pacific Ocean ... enjoy!

Zeitgeist

[desertrat]

Was he eaten by a shark ? Dick Sutphen said on on of his tapes , he was hikeing in Sedona AZ , a voice kept calling him , "come" he followed it until he came to a cliff , redy to fall. He had to back track very carefully. desert rat

[SethWilliams]

Originally Posted by Wax Frog

I've always adhered to this rule of thumb - if someone says to me, "I have the Answer", I smile politely and then run like heck.

I have the Answer! *waches Waxy run for his life*

[desertrat]

I misunderstood Zeitgeit text . In the words of Emila Letilla , never mind .

[wstein]

Nice story with a point.

But 'final' ?? There is a lot more illusion than the ego.

[zeitgeist]

Originally Posted by desertrat

Was he eaten by a shark ?

Funny - I love alternative endings, though I would root for the Hollywood version.

[zeitgeist]

Originally Posted by wstein

Nice story with a point.

But 'final' ?? There is a lot more illusion than the ego.

Now you depress me a little - I thought overcoming the ego was all there is to overcome 'maya' - what other illusion is there?