A horse rider was on a long journey, and after traveling for a considerable time, his horse became thirsty. As the rider looked around, he spotted a watermill nearby. He led his horse to the watermill so it could drink some water. However, the mill was making a loud, continuous “clack-clack” noise as it operated. The noise frightened the horse, causing it to pull back in fear and refuse to drink.
The rider tried several times to coax his horse to the water, but the animal remained too scared to drink. Frustrated, the rider called out to the owner of the watermill, who was working nearby. “Brother!” he called, “Could you stop the mill for a moment so my horse can drink? The poor animal is too scared of the clacking sound to drink the water.”
The mill owner burst out laughing when he heard the rider’s request. “My friend,” he replied, “you seem like a sensible person, so why are you saying such foolish things? If I stop the mill, the water will stop flowing too. How will your horse drink then? If you want to quench your horse’s thirst, you’ll have to train it to drink water despite the clacking noise. There is no other solution.”
The rider in this story is none other than you, and the horse represents your mind. The incessant clacking of the watermill symbolizes the noise and distractions of the world. The mill owner is akin to God, and the water represents the divine hymns or prayers that nourish the soul. Without drinking the water of God’s praise, it is impossible to quench the thirst of the soul.
The mind often says, “How can I praise God amidst all this worldly noise and distraction?” But God tells us that if you truly wish to quench your thirst, to find peace, rest, joy, relief from sorrow, and ultimately salvation, you must learn to drink the water of hymns and prayers amidst the clamor of the world.
If you think that the noise of the world will stop first, and then you will engage in prayer, you are mistaken. The opportunity to quench your spiritual thirst lies in the present moment, amidst all the noise and distractions. If you wait for the noise to stop, you may never find the peace you seek.
Lessons to Be Learned
- Embrace the Present Moment: Just as the horse must learn to drink water despite the noise, we must learn to connect with the divine in the midst of life’s distractions. Waiting for the perfect, quiet moment might mean missing out on the peace and joy that spiritual practice can bring.
- Adaptability: Life is full of challenges and distractions, but true wisdom lies in adapting to these circumstances rather than waiting for them to change. Like the horse that must learn to drink from the noisy watermill, we must learn to find peace in the midst of life’s chaos.
- Perseverance in Spiritual Practice: The mind is often restless and easily distracted by worldly noise, but consistent spiritual practice, such as prayer or meditation, is essential for inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.
- Understanding the Worldly Illusions: The world will never be completely free of distractions. We must learn to navigate through these illusions and focus on our spiritual growth.
Quote from Sastra
- Bhagavad Gita 6.5:
“Uddhared ātmanātmānam, nātmānam avasādayet; Ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ.”
(One must elevate, not degrade, oneself by one’s own mind. The mind can be the friend of the soul, and it can also be its enemy.)
Prayer
O Lord, grant me the strength to focus my mind on You even amidst the noise and distractions of the world. May I find peace in Your presence and learn to quench the thirst of my soul with the water of Your holy name. Help me to persevere in my spiritual practice, regardless of the challenges around me, and guide me on the path to inner peace and salvation. Let my heart always be connected to You, O Divine Master, and may I see Your hand in every situation I encounter. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.
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