THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PASSION and COMPASSION
Food for Thought
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Someone once asked me what was the difference between passion and compassion, so I told him this apocryphal story ...
Two Monks were once travelling together on a long journey. It was the monsoon season and it was raining heavily when they suddenly reached a flooded stream where they saw a beautiful woman who wanted to cross the stream but was afraid as she was wary of the strong current.
On seeing the monks the beautiful woman asked them if they could help her cross the stream.
The first monk hesitated, but the other one quickly picked her up onto his shoulders, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other side.
The beautiful woman thanked him and departed.
As the monks continued on their way, the first monk was brooding and preoccupied. After a while, he could restrain himself no longer, and unable to hold his silence, he admonished the second monk who had carried the woman, “Brother, our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any contact with women. We monks don’t go near females, especially young and lovely ones, but you picked up that beautiful woman on your shoulders and carried her all the way!”
“Brother,” the second monk replied, “I left the woman back there. Why are you are still carrying her?"
The compassionate monk who had to physically touch the woman, to help her across the river, forgot about her, but the passionate monk who did not touch her (but obviously wanted to) kept on thinking about her.
Yes, Passion is created in the mind, maybe it has got something to do with unfulfilled desires which keep tormenting the mind?
Think about it.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2011
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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About Vikram Karve
A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and he is currently working on his novel. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Lovely story :) superb !
ReplyDeletevery nice!!
ReplyDelete