I was backpacking through Iran.

I had already been on the road for many months. Due to certain
circumstances I lost most of my money and clothing. While I was
waiting for my family to send me some more, I stayed in the cheapest
possible accomodation.

I woke up one morning and stepped outside. I was hungry and tired in
both body and spirit. My appearance was shabby: I was unshaven and my
clothes were rather dirty. As I was wandering through the street I
noticed a crisply dressed Iranian lady step out of a building. She
looked directly at me and stopped. She sized me up bottom to top. "You
there!" she said in a loud voice. "Come here." I barely understood
what she was saying but felt compelled to move towards her.

"Follow me!" she ordered and marched back into the building. I obeyed
as though in a trance. We climbed up several floors and arrived at her
apartment. She gave some loud instructions to her son.

He took me to the bathroom. I was given a towel and razor along with
hot water and fresh soap. I was in a daze. Not knowing the language I
just went along with this deam like experience and had a bath. I
emerged from the bath room to find a fresh shirt and trouser awaiting
me. I changed and came to the living room.

The lady had prepared a hot breakfast for me. "Eat!" she ordered in
that no-nonsense motherly way that never needs translation!

Once I had finished eating, she cleared the table and said something
that sounded like, "Now we can go!" I followed her down the stairs.
Back on the road she turned and left to work before I could even say
thank-you.

Here I was back on the street...refreshed, nourished in body and
spirit, and left with a heart so amazed and grateful.

Everytime I have thought of this incident over the last many years, my
heart immediately fills and overflows with profound gratitude for the
unknown lady who spontaneously helped a strange unshaven foriegner who
was wandering the streets.

What is even more remarkable is that I have such enourmous gratitude
to this lady for just one meal and one bath and one pair of clothes.
However, when I think of my parents, who have given me thousands of
meals, gifts, clothing, shelter, security, education and so much
more...there is no such deep gratitude...instead there are sometimes
only judgements and further expectations.

How strange this is!

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This story was shared by one of my teachers, Ajahn Jayasaro (part of
the Western Forest Sangha) . I heard it many years ago and have shared
it here from memory.

Lets not blame our parents for our problems...they also had parents!
We can only begin to appreciate their trials when we ourselves become parents.

Let us instead love and appreciate our parents and loved ones today.
Tell them how much we love them in the same specifics and detail with
which we have sometimes disagreed with them.

The biggest regret when loved ones pass on are the words left unsaid
and the loving actions left undone. Let us begin to live in a way that
we can say goodbye with a regret free heart at any time. This is true
freedom.

Let there be love and gratitude in our hearts and homes.
Let it spill out into the streets of the world.

Eternal Peace

Nithya Shanti



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