All Things But None

Another short story reincarnated from January 18th, 2006. Where did the year go? Seems like I've only read the book a few months ago! I know that Lola like this particular piece, and so do I. I especially love stories that involve little children. Since they don't have a big ego like the rest of us, their innocence brings something magical and unique to our senses. Their eyes are always filled with wonderment. Do most of us simply get blurry-eyed as we grow older?

In my opinion, I think world peace is quite unattainable to tell you the truth. What consummates world peace exactly? What does it look like when we're get 'there'? We're here, as humans, there's bound to be chaos. Yet chaos also means freedom! I believe finding the peace in ourselves is the core - the foundation to love and truth. Maybe that's what they mean by world peace! Some people may never realize it in his lifetime. I'm still trying and I think that's okay. I know we all have 'it' deep inside - the awareness, or whatever you want to call it. It's built-in in every individual - in every being. And most definitely working towards it is just a part of this fantastic journey...

Okay, I think I've said way plenty. I should post a picture of a naked man or something to break up the monotony. Wait, what about a cute bunnywabbit?? Courtesy of Cute Overload, of course!

The Jigsaw Puzzle
A teacher was trying to convey an important point about world peace to his young students: If they really cared and wanted to do something about it, they needed to begin with themselves. Although the children had a natural desire for peace, they could not see how one person's becoming peaceful could make a difference to world peace. After all, to them the world was an enormous and overwhelming place and they were insignificant specks in it.

The teacher attempted to answer their disbelief in many ways, but no explanation convinced them. The teacher was frustrated with his inability to convince his students, and he spent his evening at home preoccupied with the challenge.

The next morning, the teacher arrived at the classroom smiling and looking very confident. He had brought with him a jigsaw puzzle that, when put together, showed a man on one side and a map of the world on the other. He scattered the pieces for the world map and asked the children to assemble them. At first the children were enthusiastic, but soon they became discouraged because the task was very difficult.

The teacher watched the children struggle for a few minutes and then told them to stop. "Let me show you an easy way to put the world together," the teacher said, and asked the students to turn the puzzle over and to assemble the picture of the man. Effortlessly and with enthusiasm the students put the picture of the man together because they could easily recognize body parts such as eyes, legs, and arms. When they were finished, the teacher asked the students to turn the picture over. Sure enough, there was a perfect puzzle world on the other side.

"See," the teacher said, "it is far easier to put the person together than the entire world. In our world, when the human being becomes perfect, the world will naturally become perfect."

Explaining the lesson intended by his jigsaw puzzle, he continued, "If we want a peaceful world, we need to have peaceful individuals in it, because the world is made of individuals. When the minds of individual human beings are violent, there is violence in the world. Our schools, cities, countries, and world are nothing but a collection of individuals. Without peace in the minds and hearts of the people, there will be no peace in the world. If you are really interested in world peace, the most valuable contribution you can make to achieve it is to work hard toward peace within yourself, and to encourage others within your influence to do the same. Then you can proudly call yourself a peacemaker of the world."

Text: Bhante Y. Wimala