Realizations Inc

Vol. 3, No. 3

After days of searching, they finally found him. Seated cross-legged on the ground in front of his shelter, he appeared to be meditating. From that vantage point, his eyes could feast on the lush valley that fell away beneath his feet and on the snow-capped peaks that twined majestically beyond. Motioning for them to be seated, almost as if he had been expecting them, the shaman waited.

Between them, their plight came tumbling out in fits and starts. How they were pedaling through life as fast as they could and in public, at least, were considered to be highly successful. In private, however, they were becoming increasingly fatigued, were picking at each other more and more, and were struggling with depression. In desperation, they had finally obtained prescriptions for Prozac. It hadn’t done the trick. Exhausted, discouraged, and seemingly without options, they hoped the teacher in his wisdom could help them.

They finished their recital and sat back, waiting expectantly. There was no response, no words of wisdom. Just as they were beginning to wonder if their pilgrimage had been a complete waste of time, the shaman rose to his feet gracefully and began collecting items that he placed on the ground where he had been sitting. When everything was assembled to his satisfaction, the shaman took a large, wide-mouthed earthen vessel and set it down in front of the bewildered couple.

One by one he carefully placed thumb-sized rocks in the vessel until it could hold no more. Looking directly at the couple he asked, "Is this vessel full?"

"Sure is," they responded.

Shaking his head, no, the teacher began to add tiny pebbles. Gently he shook the earthen vessel, encouraging the pebbles to work themselves down into the spaces between the thumb-sized rocks. Again he asked, "Is this vessel full?"

They answered in unison, "It is now." Shaking his head, the old man picked up several handfuls of sand and dumped them into the vessel. He shook it gently and the sand went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the pebbles. Once more he asked the question, "Is this vessel full?"

This time the couple responded, "Um, probably not."

Nodding, the shaman took a dipper and used it to pour water into the earthen vessel until it was filled to the overflowing. Looking directly at the two travelers the teacher asked, "What does all this mean to you?"

After some hesitation and some discussion between them the couple replied questioningly, "That if you try really hard you can always fit something else into your life?"

The shaman shook his head, no. There was silence for a time and then he reached into the folds of his robe and pulled out two agates of rare beauty. Each one about the size of a pomegranate, they caught the rays of the afternoon sun and sparkled, dazzled, and shone. Looking directly at the couple the teacher asked, "Is there room for these precious stones in the earthen vessel?"

"No," they answered. And then added, "Not unless you clean out the rubble first!"

"Exactly," the wise man confirmed. These agates represent you, your core uniqueness that you largely have abandoned. They also represent the really important things in life that only you, from the position of your innate giftedness, can contribute. Clean out your earthen vessel. And remember, if you don’t put the agates in first, you’ll never get them in at all."

He handed the dazzling stones to the travelers, resumed his cross-legged position, and returned to his meditation. Once again his eyes feasted on the lush valley that fell away beneath his feet and on the snow-capped peaks that twined majestically beyond, now streaked with crimson from the setting sun.

Murmuring their profound thanks, the travelers rose to their feet and began their descent, began their journey home. The agates, carefully wrapped in a soft scarf, made the trip with them. As they walked, they conversed softly, although animatedly, about the agates in their life.

Does your earthen vessel need to be cleaned out? Have you identified the agates in your life? Remember, put them in first or you’ll never get them in at all.