1

Of Forgivenessand

gratitude

1 Sand and Stone

Two friends were walking through a desert. At some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt but in silence he scribbled the following words in the sand:"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE."They continued their journey until they found an oasis. The guy who had been slapped, fell into a swamp and was in danger of drowning but his friend saved him. After he had recovered, he carved on a rock: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE."The friend who had saved him asked, "After I had slapped you earlier, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a rock, why?"The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone helps us, we must with gratitude engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

2

Reflection* Retaliatory force, aggression, anger, ill-will, revenge and hatred would not solve a problem. Anger or hatred is not overcome by anger or hatred ... it is through patience, tolerance, understanding, love and compassion that anger, ill-will or hatred is overcome.* Reacting to a happening with anger, aggression, ill-will or hatred will cause one to suffer in body and mind.* Learning to let go or forgive another for his 'wrong' towards us will keep the mind calm, peaceful and free. It lightens the mind ... and one is on the path to peace and freedom.* When someone does us a good turn, it is very good to show appreciation and gratitude.* The practice of gratefulness helps to establish care, harmony and love in the hearts of people. And it brings spiritual growth.

The above is an excerpt from the book:“An Essential 2-in-1 Companion”

You can check out the following:http://www.thebookzhub.com/books

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lvscdZEPmw

3