Threatened charity

Some time ago, my wife helped a Swiss tourist in Ipanema, who said he had been robbed by pickpockets. He spoke terrible Portuguese with a heavy accent, and claimed to be without a passport, money or place to stay.
My wife bought him lunch and gave him enough money to stay the night in a hotel while he contacted his embassy, and went off. Some days later, a Rio newspaper printed a story about this “Swiss tourist”, who was in fact nothing but a creative conman putting on an inexistent accent, and taking advantage of the good faith of people who love Rio and, eager to exorcise the negative image which - fairly or not - has become our city’s postcard.
Upon reading this news item, my wife’s only comment was: “well that won’t stop me from helping people.”
Her comment reminded me of the story of the wise man who, one afternoon, came to the town of Akbar. No one took much notice of his presence, and he was unable to interest the population in his teachings. After a time, he became an object of laughter and sarcasm among the townsfolk.
One day, as he wandered down Akbar’s main thoroughfare, a group of men and women began to insult him. Instead of pretending not to be aware of what was going on, the wise man went over to them and blessed them.
One of the men commented:
- Is it possible that, on top of everything else, this man here is deaf? We hurl abuse at you, and all you do is reply with beautiful words!
- Each of us can only offer the other that which is his - was the wise man’s answer.

********************************************************************************************

Story - How the path was forged

In issue nr. 106 of Jornalinho, (Portugal), I find a story which teaches us much about that which we choose without thinking:
One day, a calf needed to cross a virgin forest in order to return to its pasture. Being an irrational animal, it forged out a tortuous path full of bends, up and down hills.
The next day, a dog came by and used the same path to cross the forest. Next it was a sheep’s turn, the head of a flock which, upon finding the opening, led its companions through it.
Later, men began using the path: they entered and left, turned to the right, to the left, bent down, deviating obstacles, complaining and cursing - and quite rightly so. But they did nothing to create a different alternative.
After so much use, in the end, the path became a trail along which poor animals toiled under heavy loads, being forced to go three hours to cover a distance which would normally take thirty minutes, had no one chosen to follow the route opened up by the calf.
Many years passed and the trail became the main road of a village, and later the main avenue of a town. Everyone complained about the traffic, because the route it took was the worst possible one.
Meanwhile, the old and wise forest laughed, at seeing how men tend to blindly follow the way already open, without ever asking whether it really is the best choice.

*************************************************************************************************

Reflections of the Warrior of the Lighted

The correct vibration
The warrior of the light knows it is impossible to live in a state of total relaxation.
He has learned from the archer that in order to fire the arrow into the distance, one must keep the bow taut. He has learned from the stars that only an inner explosion allows them to shine. The warrior notes that, upon negotiating an obstacle, the horse tenses its muscles.
But he never mistakes tension for nervousness.

Discipline and compassion
The warrior of the light always manages to balance Severity and Mercy. To reach one’s dream, one must have a firm will - and an enormous capacity for giving oneself up.
Although he has an objective, the path leading there is not always that which he imagines.
This is why the warrior uses discipline and compassion. God never abandons his children - but His designs for Providence are unfathomable, and He builds our road using our own steps.
Using discipline and deliverance, the warrior does not allow his gestures to become a routine. A habit can never command important movements.

Accepting destiny
The moment he starts walking, a warrior of the light recognizes the Way. Each rock, each bend welcomes him. He identifies with the mountains and brooks, sees a little of his soul in the plants, animals and birds of the field.
Then, by accepting help from God and God’s Signs, he allows his Personal Legend to guide him towards the duties his life has reserved for him.
Some nights he has nowhere to sleep, on others he suffers from insomnia. He discovers the suffering of certain lost illusions, and the despair of bestowing too much expectation on important moments.
“Such is the Way,” thinks the warrior. “It was I decided to take this route.”
All his power lies in this phrase. He chose the path along which he walks, and must not complain.

********************************************************************************************

“Warrior of the Light, a www.paulocoelho.com.br publication.”