Humor Wit Wisdom Story : THE “KEY” TO ENLIGHTENMENT

Are You Searching for the Key to Enlightenment...?

SEARCHING FOR THE LOST “KEY”

Inspirational Story of Wit and Wisdom

My Favourite Mulla Nasrudin Teaching Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

 

A friend of mine asked me which is my favourite Inspirational Teaching Story. 

Well, here it is – a Mulla Nasrudin Story “THE KEY” – my all time favourite Inspirational Tale:

THE KEY  

One blistering hot summer afternoon – under the blazing sun – people saw Mulla Nasrudin crawling on his knees in the middle of a road in broad daylight frantically searching for something.

The crowd observed him curiously for some time – and then an inquisitive man asked him, “Nasrudin – What are you searching for...?”

“I have lost my key...” replied Mulla Nasrudin.

Being of a helping nature the man joined Mulla Nasrudin in searching for the lost key.

Soon – there were a large number of people on the ground crawling on all fours searching for the elusive key on the road in the scorching hot sun. 

An extensive search was carried out but the key was not found – so someone in the crowd asked Nasrudin, “Nasrudin – Do you remember where you lost your key...?” 

“I lost my key in the basement of my house...” replied Mulla Nasrudin matter-of-factly.

“What...? Are you crazy...? You lost the key in the basement of your house...? Then why are you searching for the key over here in the middle of the road...?” the astonished crowd asked Nasrudin. 

“Because there is more light here...” replied the wise Mulla Nasrudin, matter-of-factly. 

“But you lost the key in the basement of your house...?” the bewildered people said.

“Yes – but the basement of my house is very dark – but here on the street – there is so much bright light...” Mulla Nasrudin opined.

MORAL OF THE STORY

This short Mulla Nasrudin Teaching Story is symbolic. 

The “key” is a metaphor.

 

Everybody is looking for “keys” they have lost – or “keys” they desire.

The key to happiness – the key to bliss – the key to freedom – the key to God – the key to peace and tranquility – the key to success – the key to good health – the key to self-actualization – the key to enlightenment...

 

And – everyone seems to be searching for their elusive “key” in the wrong places. 

Most of us look for the “key” outside ourselves.

 

The “key” is sought in Power, Wealth, Fame, Material and Intellectual Achievement, Success – or in relationships like love marriage, parenting, friendship, appreciation, approval of others etc – all of which are outside you. 

 

We search for the “key” outside because there seems to be much “light” outside (just like Nasrudin was searching for his lost key in bright sunlight in broad daylight on the middle of the road on a hot afternoon – even though he had lost his key in the dark basement of his house)

 

Very few look for the “key” within. 

 

You must remember that you have lost your “key” within you – and so – you must search for your “key” inside you – by reflection and introspection.  

The concept of teaching stories is embodied in the tales of the inimitable Mulla Nasrudin narrated by Sufis to illustrate aspects of human behaviour which are relevant to both our personal and professional lives. 

The first step to self-growth is to try to identify yourself in these stories.

You must acknowledge that you too could be as foolish or as lacking in discernment as the characters in these classic tales. 

Once you do this – it will be easy for you to imbibe the wisdom in these tales.

Now let’s do an exercise.

Close your eyes.

Think of this story.

Then – reflect, ruminate – carry the story in your mind – identify yourself in the story – create a silence within you – and let the story reveal to you its inner depth and meaning.

Which “key” are you looking for…?

The key to happiness, the key to health, the key to bliss, the key to freedom, the key to inner peace and tranquillity, the key to love, the key to God…?

Why are you looking for the “key” outside – when you have lost the “key” deep inside within you…?

Are you searching for the “key” outside because there is more “light” outside than within you...?

How can you find the key outside when you have lost it inside you…?

You have lost your key deep inside within you – so you have to search inwards deep within you…!

Have you lost your “key”...?

Yes...?

Which “key” have you lost...?

Did you search for your lost “key”...?

Have you found your lost “key”...?

No...? 

Keep searching.

But – remember to search for your lost “key” in the right place.

Search for your lost “key” within you – and not outside.

All the Best. 

May you discover your “key” soon.

Wish you Happiness and Enlightenment.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This is a spoof, satire, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This is an extract of my article on Teaching Stories written 25 years ago in 1990 and earlier posted online by me Vikram Karve a number of times in my Blogs including at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/my-favourite-mulla-nasrudin-story_82701_blog  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/07/key.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/02/the-key-my-favorite-mulla-nasrudin.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/11/have-you-lost-your-key.html etc

TEACHING STORIES - TALES OF THE DERVISHES - BOOK REVIEW

A DELIGHTFUL BOOK OF WIT AND WISDOM

Tales of the Dervishes - Sufi Teaching Stories
BOOK REVIEW

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Title: Tales of the Dervishes

Author: Idries Shah (1967)

Arkana Penguin (1993)

ISBN 0-14-019358-8 

An inspirational book of Sufi Teaching Stories 

 

(Reviewed by Vikram Karve)

 

Everyone loves stories. So whenever I want to drive home my point or communicate a message, I like to do so through a story, a teaching story, rather than pontificate. It is more effective, as wit and humor are excellent vehicles for transmission of views and values, besides they do not bore, annoy, or hurt egos.

I am, therefore, always in search of such stories, tales, and parables, which impart wisdom and produce spiritual growth, and there is plenty of ancient wit and wisdom around, oriental and occidental.  

 

Teaching stories are not mere jokes. They relate events that are funny, foolish, bemusing, and sometimes even apparently stupid. But they usually have deeper meanings. A good teaching story has several levels of meaning and interpretation and offers us opportunities to think in new ways.

At first you may just have a good laugh but as you think about it the significance becomes more and more profound. Each story veils its knowledge and as you ruminate, the walls of its outer meanings crumble away and the beauty of the previously invisible inner wisdom is revealed, and you begin to identify yourself in the story, and to acknowledge that you too could be as foolish or as lacking in discernment as the characters in these classic tales.

An example of the concept of teaching stories is embodied in the tales of the inimitable Mulla Nasrudin narrated by Sufis to illustrate aspects of human behavior which are relevant to both our personal and professional lives.  

 

Last week I told someone this Mulla Nasrudin Story:  

 

Mulla Nasrudin’s donkey died and he went into deep mourning weeping inconsolably. A friend seeing Nasrudin crying bitterly consoled, “What’s wrong with you – you didn’t weep and mourn so much even when your first wife died.”

 

“When my wife died all of you promised to find a younger and more beautiful wife for me – and indeed you did. However, nobody has promised to replace my donkey.”

 

And I’m sure you have heard this famous Mulla Nasrudin Story: 

 

One night, Nasrudin was on his hands and knees searching for his key in a well-lit area in the centre of the street. Some of his neighbors came to see why Nasrudin was on his hands and knees.

 

“What are you looking for, Nasrudin?” enquired one of his neighbors.

 

“My door key,” Nasrudin replied.

 

The helpful neighbors dropped to their hands and knees and joined Nasrudin in his search for the lost key.

 

After a long unsuccessful search, one of the neighbors asked: “We’ve looked everywhere. Are you sure you dropped it here?”

 

Nasrudin answers: “Of course I didn’t drop it here, I dropped it outside my door.”

 

“Then, why are you looking for it here!”

 

“Because there is more light here!” responded Nasrudin.

 

When one reads or hears several Mulla Nasrudin tales, they can have a compelling effect. You can reflect, introspect or take them with a pinch of salt – the choice is yours! You may ask the storyteller: “You relate stories, but do not tell us how to understand them” – to which he will reply: “How would you like it if the shopkeeper from whom you bought a banana ate it before your eyes, leaving you only the skin?”

One of the great bonuses in learning through humor is that even as you have a good time and doubt that you have learned anything, the lessons penetrate subtly, and stay with you, to come alive when the need arises.  

 

A few years ago, while walking home one evening, I stopped for a browse at Mumbai’s famous Strand Book Fair, held every January, at SNDT University’s Sunderbai Hall near Churchgate. I saw a book – Tales of the Dervishes – and began browsing, so engrossed in the Sufi teaching stories that I lost all sense of time, that before I realized it, the clock struck eight and time to close. Seeing the crowd, and in a hurry to get home, I decided to come the next day to buy the book, but when I did come the next day the one and only copy of the book had been sold out.

 

Since then I have been hunting for this rare elusive book and I was delighted to find a copy at Landmark Bookstore on Moledina Road in Pune Camp a few months back.

Dear Reader, permit me to tell you a bit about this delightful illuminating book.

 

Title: Tales of the Dervishes

Author: Idries Shah (1967)

Arkana Penguin (1993)

ISBN 0-14-019358-8

 

The author has collated a very meaningful selection of Sufi Teaching Stories ranging from the 7^th century to the 20^th century and has given chronological references to sources which comprise Sufi Masters, classics and manuscripts. I’m sure you may be familiar with a few of these classic tales of wisdom, or versions of them, like The Three Fishes, How to Catch Monkeys, and The Blind Ones and the Matter of the Elephant, but there are so many unique gems of wit and wisdom.

 

I recommend that you must read each teaching story thrice.

Yes, thrice!

 

Read the story once. It may entertain you; maybe produce a laugh, like a joke.

 

Read the story the second time. Reflect on it. Apply it to your life. That will give you a taste of self-discovery.

 

Read the story again, for the third time, after you have reflected on it. Carry the story around in your mind all day and allow its fragrance, its melody to haunt you. Create a silence within you and let the story reveal to you its inner depth and meaning. Let it speak to your heart, not to your brain. This will give you a feel for the mystical and you will develop the art of tasting and feeling the inner meaning of such stories to the point that they transform you.

 

I’ll end with another Mulla Nasrudin teaching story:

 

On his way from Persia to India, Mulla Nasrudin saw a man selling a small long green fruit which he had never seen before.  Curious, he asked the vendor:  “What is this lovely fruit?”

 

            “Chillies. Fresh Green Chillies,” said the Vendor.

 

            Mulla Nasrudin gave the vendor a gold coin and the Vendor was so overjoyed that he gave Nasrudin the full basket of green Chillies.

 

            Mulla Nasrudin sat down under a tree and started to munch the Chillies and   within a few seconds, his mouth was burning. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his nose watered copiously and there was fire his throat.

 

              But, utterly nonchalant, Nasrudin went on eating the chillies and his condition began to get worse and worse.

 

            Seeing his pitiable condition, a passerby asked, “What’s wrong with you? Why don’t you stop eating those hot Chillies?”

 

            “May be there is one that is sweet, “Nasrudin answered. “I keep waiting for the sweet one!” Nasrudin said and he kept on eating the fiery Chillies.

 

            On his way back, the passerby saw that Mulla Nasrudin’s condition had become even more terrible, but he kept on eating, and the basket of Chillies was almost empty.

 

            “Stop at once or you will die.  There are no sweet Chillies!” the passerby shouted at Nasrudin.

 

            “I cannot stop until I have finished the whole basketful,” Nasrudin said, croaking in agony, “I have paid for the full basket   I am not eating Chillies anymore.  I am eating my money”.

           

 

Dear Reader – Read this story once more, think about it, let the story perambulate in your mind, reflect on it, and apply it to your life.

Don’t we cling on to things that we know we should let go [at first hoping to find ‘sweet one’ and even when we discover that there is no ‘sweet chilli’ we still continue to shackle and bind ourselves to material things, memories and persons who we know are painful, harmful and detrimental just to ‘get our money’s worth’ when we should ‘let go’ and liberate ourselves]. 

Hey, there I go pontificating again!

It’s time for you, Dear Reader, to read The Tales of the Dervishes, and for you to tell me a Teaching Story…! 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
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.

Did you like this book review?
I am sure you will like the 27 stories in COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

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 is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house 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 Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

vikramkarve@hotmail.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Tales of the Dervishes - A DELIGHTFUL BOOK OF WIT AND WISDOM - Sufi Teaching Stories - BOOK REVIEW

A DELIGHTFUL BOOK OF WIT AND WISDOM
BOOK REVIEW

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Title: Tales of the Dervishes

Author: Idries Shah (1967)

Arkana Penguin (1993)

ISBN 0-14-019358-8 

An inspirational book of Sufi Teaching Stories 

 

(Reviewed by Vikram Karve)

 

Everyone loves stories. So whenever I want to drive home my point or communicate a message, I like to do so through a story, a teaching story, rather than pontificate. It is more effective, as wit and humor are excellent vehicles for transmission of views and values, besides they do not bore, annoy, or hurt egos.

I am, therefore, always in search of such stories, tales, and parables, which impart wisdom and produce spiritual growth, and there is plenty of ancient wit and wisdom around, oriental and occidental.  

 

Teaching stories are not mere jokes. They relate events that are funny, foolish, bemusing, and sometimes even apparently stupid. But they usually have deeper meanings. A good teaching story has several levels of meaning and interpretation and offers us opportunities to think in new ways.

At first you may just have a good laugh but as you think about it the significance becomes more and more profound. Each story veils its knowledge and as you ruminate, the walls of its outer meanings crumble away and the beauty of the previously invisible inner wisdom is revealed, and you begin to identify yourself in the story, and to acknowledge that you too could be as foolish or as lacking in discernment as the characters in these classic tales.

An example of the concept of teaching stories is embodied in the tales of the inimitable Mulla Nasrudin narrated by Sufis to illustrate aspects of human behavior which are relevant to both our personal and professional lives.  

 

Last week I told someone this Mulla Nasrudin Story:  

 

Mulla Nasrudin’s donkey died and he went into deep mourning weeping inconsolably. A friend seeing Nasrudin crying bitterly consoled, “What’s wrong with you – you didn’t weep and mourn so much even when your first wife died.”

 

“When my wife died all of you promised to find a younger and more beautiful wife for me – and indeed you did. However, nobody has promised to replace my donkey.”

 

And I’m sure you have heard this one: 

 

One night, Nasrudin was on his hands and knees searching for his key in a well-lit area in the centre of the street. Some of his neighbors came to see why Nasrudin was on his hands and knees.

 

“What are you looking for, Nasrudin?” enquired one of his neighbors.

 

“My door key,” Nasrudin replied.

 

The helpful neighbors dropped to their hands and knees and joined Nasrudin in his search for the lost key.

 

After a long unsuccessful search, one of the neighbors asked: “We’ve looked everywhere. Are you sure you dropped it here?”

 

Nasrudin answers: “Of course I didn’t drop it here, I dropped it outside my door.”

 

“Then, why are you looking for it here!”

 

“Because there is more light here!” responded Nasrudin.

 

When one reads or hears several Mulla Nasrudin tales, they can have a compelling effect. You can reflect, introspect or take them with a pinch of salt – the choice is yours! You may ask the storyteller: “You relate stories, but do not tell us how to understand them” – to which he will reply: “How would you like it if the shopkeeper from whom you bought a banana ate it before your eyes, leaving you only the skin?”

One of the great bonuses in learning through humor is that even as you have a good time and doubt that you have learned anything, the lessons penetrate subtly, and stay with you, to come alive when the need arises.  

 

A few years ago, while walking home one evening, I stopped for a browse at Mumbai’s famous Strand Book Fair, held every January, at SNDT University’s Sunderbai Hall near Churchgate. I saw a book – Tales of the Dervishes – and began browsing, so engrossed in the Sufi teaching stories that I lost all sense of time, that before I realized it, the clock struck eight and time to close. Seeing the crowd, and in a hurry to get home, I decided to come the next day to buy the book, but when I did come the next day the one and only copy of the book had been sold out.

 

Since then I have been hunting for this rare elusive book and I was delighted to find a copy at Landmark Bookstore on Moledina Road in Pune Camp a few months back.

Dear Reader, permit me to tell you a bit about this delightful illuminating book.

 

Title: Tales of the Dervishes

Author: Idries Shah (1967)

Arkana Penguin (1993)

ISBN 0-14-019358-8

 

The author has collated a very meaningful selection of Sufi Teaching Stories ranging from the 7^th century to the 20^th century and has given chronological references to sources which comprise Sufi Masters, classics and manuscripts. I’m sure you may be familiar with a few of these classic tales of wisdom, or versions of them, like The Three Fishes, How to Catch Monkeys, and The Blind Ones and the Matter of the Elephant, but there are so many unique gems of wit and wisdom.

 

I recommend that you must read each teaching story thrice.
Yes, thrice!

 

Read the story once. It may entertain you; maybe produce a laugh, like a joke.

 

Read the story the second time. Reflect on it. Apply it to your life. That will give you a taste of self-discovery.

 

Read the story again, for the third time, after you have reflected on it. Carry the story around in your mind all day and allow its fragrance, its melody to haunt you. Create a silence within you and let the story reveal to you its inner depth and meaning. Let it speak to your heart, not to your brain. This will give you a feel for the mystical and you will develop the art of tasting and feeling the inner meaning of such stories to the point that they transform you.

 

I’ll end with another Mulla Nasrudin teaching story:

 

On his way from Persia to India, Mulla Nasrudin saw a man selling a small long green fruit which he had never seen before.  Curious, he asked the vendor:  “What is this lovely fruit?”

 

            “Chillies. Fresh Green Chillies,” said the Vendor.

 

            Mulla Nasrudin gave the vendor a gold coin and the Vendor was so overjoyed that he gave Nasrudin the full basket of green Chillies.

 

            Mulla Nasrudin sat down under a tree and started to munch the Chillies and   within a few seconds, his mouth was burning. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his nose watered copiously and there was fire his throat.

 

              But, utterly nonchalant, Nasrudin went on eating the chillies and his condition began to get worse and worse.

 

            Seeing his pitiable condition, a passerby asked, “What’s wrong with you? Why don’t you stop eating those hot Chillies?”

 

            “May be there is one that is sweet, “Nasrudin answered. “I keep waiting for the sweet one!” Nasrudin said and he kept on eating the fiery Chillies.

 

            On his way back, the passerby saw that Mulla Nasrudin’s condition had become even more terrible, but he kept on eating, and the basket of Chillies was almost empty.

 

            “Stop at once or you will die.  There are no sweet Chillies!” the passerby shouted at Nasrudin.

 

            “I cannot stop until I have finished the whole basketful,” Nasrudin said, croaking in agony, “I have paid for the full basket   I am not eating Chillies anymore.  I am eating my money”.

           

 

Dear Reader – Read this story once more, think about it, let the story perambulate in your mind, reflect on it, and apply it to your life.

Don’t we cling on to things that we know we should let go [at first hoping to find ‘sweet one’ and even when we discover that there is no ‘sweet chilli’ we still continue to shackle and bind ourselves to material things, memories and persons who we know are painful, harmful and detrimental just to ‘get our money’s worth’ when we should ‘let go’ and liberate ourselves]. 

Hey, there I go pontificating again!

It’s time for you, Dear Reader, to read The Tales of the Dervishes and for you to tell me a Teaching Story…! 

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.

Did you like this book review?
I am sure you will like the 27 stories in COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

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 is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house 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 Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com     vikramkarve@hotmail.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.