A Still Lake

I failed to recognize that I am the still placid lake that retains its inner calm and peace for a long time ...

Then one day I realized that I was identifying myself with the dirt and dead leaves that were filling it; and at other times I identified with the lotuses that bloomed there; but in the end I realized that no one can take away the intrinsic nature of the lake; the spirit of the lake and then I identified with my still placid nature and then the lake regained its poise and original identity.

I am no more the dirt that is filling it up or the lotuses that bloom there; I am just the water that reflects all truth whether it be pristine and pure or ugly and dour. I am the still placid lake and that is my inherent nature, that is my identity ...

We all come to identify with the external factors most often and think we are that which is our problems or our solutions, but then time has come for us to realize that we are not what we identify with externally or internally but our identity is what needs to be explored and taken to a higher level.

[A part from a reply to my friend that is reproduced here with her permission]