Town and the Two Streets

Spiritual Story by Sheikh Qalandar Shah I see, in this story, the pitfalls of attachment to a point-of-view rather than commitment to re-creation and really "getting" communication. What do you see in this story? I am continually developing my skills as a communicator, to minimize the risks of "assuming," especially when I have the opportunity to obtain clarity. The model of communication I enjoy and use is based on Integrity, Responsibility and Generosity. The conversations are extraordinary and the rewards are immeasurable.

In eastern Armenia there was a little village with two parallel streets, called North Way and South Way, respectively. A traveler from afar walked down South Way, and soon resolved to visit the other street; however, as soon as he entered it, the merchants noticed that his eyes were filled with tears. "Someone must have died on South Way," said the butcher to the textile salesman. "That poor stranger, who just came from there, look how he cries!" A child heard the comment, and as he knew what a sad thing someone dying is, he began to cry hysterically. Before long, all the children in that street were crying. Startled, the traveler decided to leave immediately. He threw away the onions he was peeling in order to eat them - that being the reason his eyes were filled with tears - and went off. However, the mothers, worried by their children’s weeping, soon went to find out what had happened, and discovered that the butcher, the textile salesman and - by this time - several other merchants, were all deeply concerned about the tragedy which had occurred on South Way. More rumors began to spread; and since the town hadn’t many inhabitants, everyone on both streets knew that a terrible thing had happened. The adults began to fear the worst; but, since they were worried about the gravity of the tragedy, they decided not to ask anything, so as not to make matters worse. A blind man who lived on South Way and didn’t understand what was going on, decided to speak up: "Why such sadness in this town, which as always been such a happy place?" "Something terrible happened on North Way," answered one of the inhabitants. "The children are crying, the men frown, mothers send their sons home, and the only traveler to pass through town for many years, left with his eyes filled with tears. Perhaps the plague has hit the other street." Before long, rumors of an unknown deadly disease spread through the town. And since all the weeping had begun when the traveler visited South Way, the inhabitants of North Way were sure that that was where it had begun. Before nightfall, people from both streets abandoned their houses and left for the mountains of the East. Centuries later, that ancient village where a traveler passed peeling onions continues abandoned to this day. Not far away, two settlements emerged, called East Way and West Way. Their inhabitants, the descendants of the former inhabitants of the village, still do not speak to each other, for time and legends placed a great barrier of fear between them. Can you yourself in this story? Can you see communities, nations? What do you think? MSS

What a Remarkable Guy...

I met with the husband of the woman who died. This is the 6th anniversary of her passing.

We spoke for 2 1/2 hours. It was good for both of us, I think.

I hope he will add his comments.

He asked me if I remembered her and if I remembered speaking to him. I have a vivid recollection... He acknowledged my conversation from back then, saying I was honest and forthcoming.

It appears I have long known that clear, honest communication is always better than denial.

Bad news is an unavoidable feature of life. People can handle bad news better than chaos and uncertainty.

Compassion triumphs over adversity,
Brings power and protection.
Heaven always arms its leaders
With the strength of compassion.
(Tao, 67)

After the fashon of the changing seasons, within every crisis lies an opportunity.

How have you faced crisis?

MSS

A Conversation From Nothing,

One minute she was alive. A wife and young mother...

I don't believe there is a lonelier place than attending a death you are powerless to stop.

I was there, 6 years ago.

The experience forever altered my way of looking at life.

I wept uncontrollably when I told her husband and her young child who couldn't understand why he couldn't see mommy and why she wasn't coming home.

I attended her funeral. There were hundreds of people there as she was a luminary in her church. I cried there, too.

This evening, her husband called me...

We're meeting on Friday afternoon.

What shall we talk about?

I am Inspiration and Freedom. My communication is from integrity, responsibility and generosity.

I'll tell you how it goes...

MSS