“When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of two things: there will be ground to stand on… or you will grow wings to fly.” – O.R. Melling
For the second time, I am reading “The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying” by Sogyal Rinpoche, and feel that I am understanding it on a much deeper level this time. The book has immense wisdom and insight, and guides us to look at our beliefs on life and death differently.
The parable from the book, is a wonderful analogy, describing our journey into conscious change. This is exactly how I felt when I started to bring change into my life. In the beginning, when we try to break-free from our old patterns and beliefs, we often fall into our old habits too easily, but once we decide that change is necessary for growth, and we become aware, we can begin to see our life more clearly and learn to change our path.
I walk down the street,
there is a deep hole in the sidewalk, I fall in.
I am lost, I am hopeless
It isn’t my fault, it takes forever to find a way out.
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk,
I pretend I don’t see it,
I fall in again
I cant’ believe I’m in the same place!
It takes a long time to get out.
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk,
I see it is there
I fall in……it’s a habit…….
My eyes are open, I know where I am
It’s my fault, I get out immediately.
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I walk around it.
I walk down another street.
No matter where you are along your journey, keep going. If we fall into the hole, then we need to get back-up. Overtime, with perseverance, patience and commitment, we will see change.
“You will never know how much you can accomplish until you try. Never stop trying. Your miracle will come in undefined moments.” – L Gifty Akita
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
So true 😉
It is Irene, especially the line “I can’t believe Im in the same place!” Been there before 🙂
Wonderful.
Thankyou David 🙂
Very good. That habit, that refusal to see or acknowledge what we see. So limiting! Wonderful to be able to walk around the hole or take a different route.
Yes, it is so liberating to bypass that old street! Thankyou for your comment.
Powerful parable Karen. I can really relate to it especially the time when it becomes a habit. Thankfully when we are awake we are aware of this habit forming behaviour and can get out. I am ready to walk around it and even try a different street.
You are definitely walking along another street! I think we can all relate to these experiences. Thanks Mel.
Stunning photo and a powerful message Karen. Thank you!
Thanks Val, the picture gives the feeling of power which is exactly how we can feel when we walk around the hole. 🙂
Love this parable Karen. I remember reading it once, a long time ago. A great lesson for life. ❤
Diana xo
It is a great lesson for life Diana. This book is something to come back to many times. Thankyou.
what an incredible capture!!
It is a perfect analogy. I felt connected to that story straight away. Thankyou.
I love the analogy–and have heard it before but forgot it. It’s a great one! This book–I have thought several times about reading it–but always hesitated. Is it gargantuan effort? Or not? Trying to time it right with my life energy levels:).
Yes the book is pretty full on, but what I have done in the past and with Eckhart Tolle books as well, is to start reading, and if after the 2nd chapter I am drifting off and not really feeling inspired, I put it away for another time.
You are right, there are def times in our life when we are ready to hear this wisdom and understanding and you know best. Thankyou so much for your comment, I am enjoying reading your posts. 🙂
Huh! I just climbed out of that hole & saw your post. Good timing.
Thats so good MK. Those holes are awful when we are in them, and it feels great to leave them behind. You will defintely see it more clearly next time. 🙂 Thankyou.
Someone gave me that poem about walking down the street many years ago and it is funny how it pokes its head back at me every now and then, like today reading this. It always gives me courage and strength. Thank you.
Thankyou, I realised I missed your comment today and I also love this story and how it gives me strength and hope. 🙂
Falling in the same hole over and over and over again is very human. A lot of us in the world do just that, knowingly the dangers that we choose to ignore. It’s not as logical as just seeing a hole in front of you, but a lot of us need that courage to stop and make a change.
Yes I wish it was as obvious as the hole being right in front! Sometimes we are in the hole before we know it, and it does take courage to admit we need to change and then make it happen, but its always worth the effort! Efharistó 🙂
Your example is one of an opportunity to gain knowlege. That knowlege must transform to something. If not wisdom, then pride. Pride puts you in a hole; wisdom keeps you from it in the future.
-Alan
I never thought of it like that, yes pride and stubborness put us in that hole! and lots of falling in and wisdom keep us out. Well said! Thanks Alan.
Falling happens, it’s the getting up that takes effort! Good post to remind us to keep getting back up. 😉
Thanks Eliza, getting up and out is indeed an effort! 🙂
Karen love this post, adore all the beautiful quotes and want to read the book. Thanks for sharing such a great mindset. We are all in different stages of change and yet I have met many an old person who refused to change. I want to be one of those souls open to life’s possibilities.
You are so kind Kath. It’s always so lovely to receive your insights and comments! You are definitely a beautiful soul, open to all life’s possibilities and I agree, that age does not always bring Wisdom.
I just found out from a friend yesterday that Sogyal Rinpoche is going to be in town to present a talk in two weeks time! So I have booked in to see him and I am very excited. The book is something you will love overtime, as it’s like a precious jewel you go back to every now and then to be inspired and keep you focused.
Thankyou 🙂
Great message Karen!
Thanks Mary! 🙂
I love this. The poem about finally taking another street was shared with me by a trusted sage several years ago. It described my journey into and out of depression beautifully. How wonderful to see it here! Lovely post…and inspiring.
This story is a great way to describe depression as well and when we are finally able to walk down another street, it is something to be very grateful for! Thankyou Carrie.
“No matter where you are along your journey, keep going” that is such a perfect piece of advice ~ beautiful post and inspiring work (as always!).
Thankyou so much Randall, those words have helped me along my journey too!