How to Escape Your Suffering – The Blind Man vs. The Cripple
Site Search Tags: zen, Zen Buddhism, zen meditation, zen stories, zen teachings, meditation, stories, fiction stories, meditation stories, personal development, spiritual growth
How to Escape your Suffering – The Blind Man vs. The Cripple
Art of Meditation: Personal Development and Spiritual Growth
There is a famous Indian story about the great battle between the blind man and the cripple which I think you will all enjoy. I came across this story first is Osho’s book on Courage, The Joy of Living Dangerously. Here is how it goes. In a remote village in the outskirts of Punjab there lived 2 sworn enemies. One chap was blind and the other was a cripple. They just could not get along. No matter what one did, it would upset the other and visa versa. For years this battle raged on and the animosity between them grew fierce and caustic.
As fate would have it though, during one very hot and dry summer a terrible fire broke out in the village and began consuming everything in its path. The villagers began to flee in fear as there was no stopping the inferno. In the panic, the blind man and the cripple were forgotten about and left to fend for themselves. They now had a big problem. The blind man did not know which way to go in order to escape the fire, and the cripple, who could see the path to safety, could take no action regarding it. So both were stuck.
Luckily for them, the desire to live was greater than their hatred for each other, so they decided to work together in order to save their lives. The blind man put the cripple on his shoulders, who then directed him on which way to go in order to escape. Thus, working as a team, they were successful and even ended up becoming friends.
Who is the blind man and who is the cripple? The blind man is your mind and the cripple is your heart. What is the fire? The fire is your suffering. The mind is the instrument through which you can move, act — but it is blind, in that it does not know which way to go. It endlessly debates, weighing pros and cons, wobbling between what will be gained and what will be lost if certain action was to be taken. It cannot see how to escape the suffering. The heart, on the other hand, can see clearly the way out, but does not have any means to act. In order to act, it needs the mind. So they need each other. But, more importantly the heart needs to sit on top of the mind, as the cripple sat on the shoulders of the blind man. With the heart leading the way, the mind becomes intelligent. Give the heart its precedence and wisdom will then emerge and guide you safely out of your suffering.
Article Series - Purpose Driven, Meaningful, Happy & Good Life
- The Secret on How to Become an Early Riser
- Stop the Madness of Self-Discipline
- The True Purpose of Relationships
- The True Meaning of Laziness
- How to Escape Your Suffering - The Blind Man vs. The Cripple
- 10 Things You Should Do Everyday for a Happy, Meaningful & Good Life - Part 1
- 10 Things You Should Do Everyday for a Happy, Meaningful & Good Life - Part 2
- 10 Things You Should Do Everyday For a Happy, Meaningful & Good Life (Combined)
- True Meaning of Zen and of Life... In Just 3 Words
- 5 Key Principles for Living an Enlightened & Good Life
- 4 Vital Keys for Developing Mastery in Anything
- The Secret to Compassion
- My Simple Rule for a Peaceful Life
- Survey Results: Are You Living Your True Passion In Life?
- Anxiety & Depression Help | 4 Effective Treatments
- 5 Major Obstacles to Self-Realization & Enlightenment
- Special Technique for Fun & Healthy Relationships
- Planning a Spiritual Vacation | What I Learned from My Vacation
- 5 Keys to Stop Procrastination
- 3 Keys for How to Live a Blessed Life
- 5 Unusual Ways to Get More Energy
- Corporate Ethics and Values - A Vedic View
- Helpful Approach for Hard Times in Life
- Overcoming the Fear of Death - Krishnamurti on Death
- Survey Results: What Do Relationships Need Most?
- Self Help Lessons | Don't Make these Big Mistakes in Your Life
- Top 5 Signs You Are Living Your Passion
- The Great Value of Pain and Suffering
Previous in series Next in series
| ||||||
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Another beautiful story – I love Osho’s words. I have never come across this one though. Thank you!
May 26th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
KL, This was one of those stories which I thought was just spot on. Glad you found it enjoyable.
October 4th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
[...] This is another topic on which you can find lots more information here on Mastery of Meditation. I would suggest the following 4 articles to help explore this concept more: Silent Mind Meditation Program: Confidence – Chapter 5, Inspiring Osho Quote on How to Live Courageously, New Kundalini Yoga Classes & the Courage to Live Dangerously and How to Escape Your Suffering – The Blind Man vs. The Cripple. [...]
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
[...] How to Escape Your Suffering – The Blind Man vs. The Cripple [...]
December 21st, 2008 at 2:59 am
Dear Anmol,
Can you please explain how to listen to the heart. I have read quite a lot of stuff (articles/books) about the importance of following one’s heart; but few explained lucidly as to how to listen to it.
Thanks in advance for your kind help.
regards,
V
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Hi V,
There are 2 article I will point you to an the website regarding this topic.
The first is a set of questions which help you listen to your inner voice and help you discover what your heart really wants in life…
How to Discover Your True Passion in Life
The second is also an article which might interest you which involves how to discover your Higher Self.
How to Discover Your Soul or Higher Self.
Finally I would say to build you intuitive nature practice Third Eye AUM Meditation Technique.
Hope they help.
Best,
Anmol
October 30th, 2009 at 9:31 am
[...] 2. Listen to the Heart, Not the Mind: In the article How to Escape Your Suffering: The Blind Man vs. The Cripple I went into this point where your guide ought to be your heart and not your mind. The mind will endlessly battle for security, it will wobble between the pros and cons. The heart, on the other hand, will help you to jump into the great unknown and help you to be true to your passions. [...]
December 11th, 2009 at 1:56 am
[...] 2. Listen to the Heart, Not the Mind: In the article How to Escape Your Suffering: The Blind Man vs. The Cripple I went into this point where your guide ought to be your heart and not your mind. The mind will endlessly battle for security, it will wobble between the pros and cons. The heart, on the other hand, will help you to jump into the great unknown and help you to be true to your passions. [...]
April 13th, 2010 at 2:29 am
[...] 2. Listen to the Heart, Not the Mind: In the article How to Escape Your Suffering: The Blind Man vs. The Cripple I went into this point where your guide ought to be your heart and not your mind. The mind will endlessly battle for security, it will wobble between the pros and cons. The heart, on the other hand, will help you to jump into the great unknown and help you to be true to your passions. [...]
August 15th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Awesome post Anmol! Especially, the illustration about mind being the one that walks and heart being the one that decides the way is such a wonderful exlplanation you have given! :) thanks loads, i loved it! :D
October 4th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
[...] 2. Listen to the Heart, Not the Mind: In the article How to Escape Your Suffering: The Blind Man vs. The Cripple I went into this point where your guide ought to be your heart and not your mind. The mind will endlessly battle for security, it will wobble between the pros and cons. The heart, on the other hand, will help you to jump into the great unknown and help you to be true to your passions. [...]
November 30th, 2010 at 3:14 am
[...] How to Escape Your Suffering – The Blind Man vs. The Cripple [...]
December 28th, 2010 at 11:01 am
[...] 2. Listen to the Heart, Not the Mind: In the article How to Escape Your Suffering: The Blind Man vs. The Cripple I went into this point where your guide ought to be your heart and not your mind. The mind will endlessly battle for security, it will wobble between the pros and cons. The heart, on the other hand, will help you to jump into the great unknown and help you to be true to your passions. [...]
April 15th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
A very meaningful storey .Thanks.
February 17th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
I knew this story since my I was child but never before knew the essence of it! Thanks!