The Blind Men and the Elephant is quite a famous Indian fable. It tells the story of six blind travelers who come across different parts of an elephant as they journey through life. You may have heard it and, if so, it bears repeating. If not, like my wife, you will find it to be a very interesting parable.
As each blind man touches the large mammal, he creates his own version of reality based on his limited experience and perspective. It reminds me of organized religions, with their individual interpretation of God/Supreme Source, as well as their assumption that theirs is the only “right” “best” or “true Path”.
Do you judge a book by its cover? Do you make assumptions based on first impressions? Do you, like me, sometimes decide that you are right and everyone else wrong? Are you a blind man touching an elephant? Read the fable and see for yourself! Here is a popular version by John Godfrey Saxes:
It was six men of Indostan, to learning much inclined, who went to see the elephant (Though all of them were blind), that each by observation, might satisfy his mind.
The first approached the elephant, and, happening to fall, against his broad and sturdy side, at once began to bawl:’God bless me! but the elephant is nothing but a wall!’
The second feeling of the tusk cried: ‘Ho! what have we here, so very round and smooth and sharp? To me, tis mighty clear, this wonder of an elephant, is very like a spear!’
The third approached the animal, and, happening to take, the squirming trunk within his hands, ‘I see,’ quoth he, the elephant is very like a snake!’
The fourth reached out his eager hand, and felt about the knee:’What most this wondrous beast is like, is mighty plain,’ quoth he; ‘Tis clear enough the elephant is very like a tree.’
The fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said; ‘E’en the blindest man can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an elephant, is very like a fan!’
The sixth no sooner had begun, about the beast to grope, than, seizing on the swinging tail, that fell within his scope, ‘I see,’ quothe he, ‘the elephant is very like a rope!’
And so these men of Indostan, disputed loud and long, each in his own opinion, exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, and all were in the wrong!
MORAL: So, oft in theologic wars, the disputants, I ween, tread on in utter ignorance, of what each other mean and prate about the elephant, not one of them has seen.
Keep manifesting 😆
Tony
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