One of my colleagues asked me whether the souls of the two children, who died in a tragic traffic accident a few days ago, will linger in the accident area after their death.
I told him I had no answer for that question.
A few of my colleagues laughed after hearing the conversation and jokingly said I should reply saying that my level of spiritual cultivation isn’t that high enough to know the answer.
I laughed and told them I am like them, just an average human. There is no spiritual cultivation to speak of.
One of them offered his perspective on the issue saying that it is highly possible that the souls of the children will be lingering around the accident area after their deaths. At that moment, I want to challenge the idea of soul but I decided it is better that I maintain my silence.
I told them my perceptions on the issue is just a perception and I didn’t want to influence their perception because there can be no objective affirmation of whether it right or wrong. After hearing this, they insisted on hearing my opinions, which I rejected, insisting on my silence in response to the question.
The poser of the question then retorted saying that if I can’t even engage him in a conversation like this, there is nothing much else for us to talk about.
I laughed and walked away.
What is the intention behind the speech? I was amazed at my response, given that I will usually offer some perspectives when asked for my opinions on issues. I guessed at that point of time, I was uncomfortable discussing the topic and I didn’t want to evoke wrong views in others; their minds were overflowing with their perceptions, and I guess they just wanted a third party endorsement of their perceptions which I wasn’t willing to give. There is no benefit in expressing the perceptions except satisfying the egos; pushing the mind deeper into the Tartarus of differentiation. Silence allows for the introspection of the self in the current moment; there is awareness, not confusion; we are masters of our mind, not the slaves of our thoughts.
Silence of the mind is like the surface of a calm lake in a moonlit night; there are no waves of expressed thoughts, perhaps sometimes, the occasional ripples but soon it will fall away and become one with the silence again.
Sometimes, silence is the best answer to questions in life.
I am grateful to my colleagues for the experience; I learned a lot in the moment and for this, I am thankful to them.
May the two children have good rebirth, encounter the Dharma, and be on the path towards Nibbana.
May all be well and happy
Simple Bear 31.01.2013.
