Studies have shown that most eyewitnesses of an event believe they have observed all that occurred. And yet, the same studies reveal, not one witness can ever accurately recount the entire event.
Until we turn on the light of humility, we’ll all remain in the dark.
In that light, here’s my take on the old tale of
The Blind Men and the Elephant
Five men were led to an elephant
A beast they could never actually know
For nature had failed to give them eyes
To them all was darkness, above and below
And yet you may feel with your hands, they were told
So touch this creature and say what is true
“It’s as thick and as strong as a banyan root”
Said the first with absolute certitude
“You lie! It’s as thin as sisal twine”
Said the next as he felt the great animal’s tail
“Deceit!” cried the man who was touching its ears
“It’s as wide and as lithe as a Bengal boat’s sail”
“Cease your gibbering jokes!” said the fourth
“It’s as hard and firm as a plastered fence”
“Not so!” cried the fifth as he fondled its trunk
“It writhes like a cobra. You lack all sense!”
But then the one who had led them there
Said, “Behold, each sightless man is right”
“You lie!” averred a sighted observer
“Each is wrong!” Then he raised his fists to fight
“Wait!” cried a formerly silent onlooker
“It’s true that each of the men spoke truth
But only in part, and there’s the fault
For a partial truth has no earthly use
“And in the end no person alone
Can ever be fully, finally free
So let us not fancy our vision complete
Until all together we learn to see”
Fantastic insight and analogy. 🙂
Thank you.
Good stuff, Mitch.
Perfect timing for this one… It would seem that my two sisters and I grew up on three different planets. Few of our memories correlate at all. Sometimes that causes tensions. This year your article will be the aha moment that keeps tensions out and to paraphrase Leonard Cohen, it will be ‘the crack that lets the light in’. You have a really super way of teaching. Thank you!
So glad, Sarah. Praying “the crack” helps during the holidays. Blessings.
Wonderful take on this tale! Must share…
Thank you, Bette!
Great analogy. I have never heard this, thanks for sharing.
Such is the World when we refuse to open our eyes. Great post Mitch.
I have always loved that story! It explains why good people hold so tightly to such very different truths. We really do experience the world in different ways, and the way we experience it defines our world view. I think the hardest part about getting along with others is recognizing that fact.
Truth!
This is awesome Mitch!
Fantastic analogy. Very well explained. Do find time to read mine on the same topic here https://sunniesmybunnies.wordpress.com/2019/04/11/thought-of-the-night-5/
Thanks, and, yes, I will!
Great
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Great post. Analogy in teaching of oneself. Thank you.
Thank you, Mike, and good to meet you.
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