Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Coffee Hour at Street Prophets. This is an open thread where we can discuss what’s happening in our lives, what we’ve been working on, and our opinions on current events.
"Nasreddin (17th-century miniature)"
Topkapi Palace Museum Library
Nasreddin, a Sufi wise man, is believed to have lived during the 13th century in what is now Turkey. He is featured in hundreds of stories, many of which appear at first to be jokes, but often have layers of meaning. One such story tells of Nasreddin searching for his lost keys.
Nasreddin's keys
One late evening Nasreddin found himself walking home. It was only a very short way and upon arrival he can be seen to be upset about something. Alas, just then a young man comes along and sees the Mullah's distress.
"Mullah, please tell me: What is wrong?"
"Ah, my friend, I seem to have lost my keys. Would you help me search them? I know I had them when I left the tea house."
So, he helps Nasreddin with the search for the keys. For quite a while the man is searching here and there but no keys are to be found. He looks over to Nasreddin and finds him searching only a small area around a street lamp.
"Mullah, why are you only searching there?"
"Why would I search where there is no light?"
To me, the story is about how sometimes we mistakenly search for things only where it is easy to look, for example, resisting looking deep inside ourselves. Sometimes what we search for can only be found when we are go to a place where there is more light, such as undertaking a spirit journey. And, sometimes we benefit from having a friend point out the difference.
This is an open thread for sharing whatever is on your mind today.
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Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/... , http://en.wikipedia.org/...