THE BLIND BEGGAR MAN
By
-Daniel-
©
Though we be apart,
we are but a heartbeat away.
I have come to share a Truth
upon this blessed day.
There once lived a blind beggar man who spent
his days in silence, sitting upon the steps of
the sacred temple, as the world rushed hurriedly by;
and never a thought was given to the beggar man's care,
for his needs were of no concern to those living in
the land of abundance.
It was as if he did not exist to those walking by,
no greeting or word of encouragement ever cast his way;
but the man lived not within the dark void of bitterness,
for although his eyes gave forth but a sightless stare,
the eyes of his soul saw the all of each life marching by.
He was able to see the invisible chains of ignorance holding
the busy multitudes back from greater heights of awareness.
He could see the dark stains of impurity keeping them prisoner
of disease and he witnessed the demons tormenting their victims,
as the illusion of self was forever worshipped.
While each one passed him by, on their way through Life,
the beggar man would send forth a silent blessing to lighten
their unseen burden, to cure them of their sickness and to
heal the deformity of their lives.
As the multitudes came and went their separate ways,
each would feel a change within their own being but could
not see the source of that miracle;
for how could such a wondrous gift be given by one
collecting the alms of pity?
And it came to pass that a sightless girl of not more
than twelve years made her way to the temple steps that
she might enter therein to pray.
But as she climbed the steps, she tripped and fell into
the waiting arms of the blind beggar man.
Unhurt but embarrassed, she asked him to forgive her
stumbling way, but the beggar man spoke unto her...
"We all stumble through Life and it remains the
duty of each to keep the other from falling.
Tell me, young sister, why is it that you have
come to the temple this day?
Do you pray to have your sight restored?"
But the young girl answered...
"Nay, not for myself do I pray but for another
suffering in the pain of silence."
"Who taught you this selfless act of giving
my child", asked the beggar man?
And the young girl answered...
"Seven lifetimes ago did I sit at the Master's
feet as he taught the selfless ways of Love to
those who would listen.
Never can I forget the softness of his words
and if I could but only see the world as the Master sees,
I would be content to live this earthly life within
the eternal dark of my blindness."
Tears welled up from the beggar man's useless eyes
as he spoke to her these words...
"Oh ancient soul, garbed within the veils of youth,
look into my eyes and tell me what you see."
But the girl responded...
"How can I, for I am blind since birth?"
Then the beggar man said in the gentleness of a commanding voice...
"Mary, look now into my eyes and receive your sight."
The young girl did as she was bade to do and she saw
not the face of a blind beggar man but the tender face
of Love looking back at her, through the shining eyes
of Compassion.
And in her joy, she cried aloud...
"Oh Master, is it truly you that I see?"
And he replied with a knowing smile...
" 'Tis I, beloved one, 'tis I."
Long did they sit together upon the steps of the temple
and in quiet wonder did she listen to the wisdom he
revealed to her that day;
and many things that he had spoken of so long ago now
became clear to her present awareness.
In silent communion sat the Master, with Mary at his feet;
and as they watched the multitudes passing them by,
she asked of the Master why it was that she could see him,
while those who passed near did not?
And he answered, saying...
"You asked to see the world as the Master sees, and I say unto
you that only through the eyes of Love can I see or be seen.
This Love is reflected back to you, revealing the Christ within;
but those who choose to see only a blind beggar man,
pleading for a crust of bread,
shall remain truly blind."