Durban, South Africa
Falling
Object
I became aware of a new sign, tacked onto a
palm tree, which read, “Caution—Beware of Falling Fronds.” It’s a decent warning for those who walk
along the temple’s moat, which is lined with indigenous trees, and also the odd
invasive flower from India. Often a
frond—branch of leaves—makes its descent when old, dried-up and brown. It comes as a surprise and can hurt.
Things do fall from the sky. Ask Chicken Little. Natural things and sometimes aeroplanes come
down for unfortunate landings. I’ve been
always in the clear when it comes to falling objects and only got close to
getting struck, in the Fall of 2015, when walking from Massachusetts to
Pennsylvania. Those bountiful black
walnut trees send those nuts in bullet-like speed from top to bottom. I was not able to dodge those bullets, but
was lucky to be missed.
Apparently we, as souls, fall from grace,
from a spirit world, and enter the world of martya-loka,
the place of death, somewhere along the line.
Anyway, here we are. Let’s make
the best of it—the best of our karma. Look at the goods you have. Look at the bads you have. Look at the combination you have and offer
that package deal to the Supreme with bhakti,
with devotion.
Life is all about sacrifice, but be
prepared for death. It can come at any
moment. You don’t know when a heavy
object, or even a light one, will strike the head and crack it. Will you be prepared in the right state of
mind when death comes knocking on your door?
May the Source be with you!
6 km
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