The Zen Series: Gloating Gets You Nowhere

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Parsi Times presents our readers ‘The Zen Series’ by PT Columnist, Kashmira Shaw Raj – a professional Taichi and Qigong practitioner and teacher, as also a sought-after clinical psychologist and healer. These Zen stories will resonate with you and help you connect within, at a deeper, inner level to encourage and empower you to reflect. These make for good reading across people of all ages and speak to the reader at several levels. If you’re looking to bring about a positive change in yourself, ‘The Zen Series’ will inspire, motivate and facilitate you in realizing truths about yourself and life, to ultimately set you on the path of growth, wisdom and happiness.

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The second part of ‘The Zen Series’ shares the story about the frog and the goldfish…

A warty frog and a prized goldfish meet in the temple pool. “Don’t you realize how great I am?” bubbles the goldfish, flashing her wispy tail. The frog makes no sound.”I can understand your silence,” gloats the goldfish. “I am not only graceful in my movements, but I also enhance the golden rays of the sun.” Once again, there is neither answer nor movement from the frog. “Say something”, demands the goldfish just as a waiting crane spears the sparkling fish and flies into the sky. “Goodbye,” croaks the frog.

[Courtesy: 101 Zen Stories]

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We are so used to success that it often assumes paramount importance in our lives. Some amongst us have been fortunate and blessed with a relatively easy life. However, a comfortable life sometimes makes it harder to understand others’ predicaments. In addition, in many cases, a false sense of security and arrogance tends to creep in, making one feel as if they are always right. And even worse, that they have the right to judge, become opinionated and look at everything in their own way. The truth tends to get convoluted or lost. And soon, your version of the truth becomes further removed from reality… Until one day… it all goes poof!

There may come a time when the reality is so hard hitting, that all that you believed in, starts to crumble and fall. And you realize that it was all shallow and baseless. It is important to remain grounded in life. Rightly has it been said, ‘The fruits of life can only grow when your roots are implanted well. Being grounded is the key to being fruitful.’

Here’s How We Can Remain Grounded:

1. Never forget your roots and where you, and especially your ancestors, came from.
2. Be grateful for what you have.
3. Try to understand that what is commonplace for you may mean a lot to someone else.
4. Your want may constitute another’s need.
5. Take pride in the person you are rather than what you possess.

Here’s What You Can Do:

a Reach out to the needy and lend a helping hand.

1. If you help, just help. No if’s and buts. No conditions. No expectations.
2. Be yourself and have an open and honest communication with the other person. Don’t say what others want to hear. Speak truthfully.
3. Focus on the qualities of humanity rather than material things.
4. Humility goes a long way – learn to be humble.

There are some who have had it tough their entire lives, but still have the courage and gumption to go on. And there are those that give up after a single failure. Mental tenacity will make you walk the tight rope.  Each of us have challenges of different kinds. If you think that there is nothing you need to work hard for or look forward to, then maybe you need to look at your life in more depth. After all, haven’t we often heard that all that glitters is not gold? Even the most beautiful may sometimes be damned, like the goldfish in the story!

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Kashmira Shaw Raj is a professional Taichi and Qigong practitioner and teacher. Also, a successful clinical psychologist, psychic and healer, Kashmira runs ‘The Tai-Qi Touch’ with her husband, Dr. Brijesh Raj, a healer and a Vet. Taichi practitioners for over fourteen years now, they are instructors in Sifu Carlton Hill’s Tao Taichi Qi Gong organization, and Shibashi Instructors under Sifu Wing Cheung from the Feng Shui and Taichi Institute, Hongkong & Canada. 

The Tai-Qi Touch offers classes for adults and children at ‘Infinite Studio’ (Opp. Starbucks Café, Chowpatty, Mumbai). To contact Kashmira, M: 9323874418 or Email: kash.shaw@gmail.com

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