Once a weary traveller lost his way. It soon became dark and the forest was dense and deep. He thought that he could retire for the night. He found a huge tree and stretched out under it. The ground under the tree was a bit uncomfortable with prickly weeds. Soon a thought came to his mind, “Ah! I wish I could have a comfortable bed with silken sheets.” Suddenly, he found himself lying on such a bed. He couldn’t believe this, so to test another thought he wished “Oh! Now if I could get a sumptuous, tasty meal, I would sleep soundly.” It happened immediately. Soon he became drowsy, but a great fear swept over his mind, “If I fall asleep, what if a wild animal pounces on me to make a meal of me?” As soon as this thought crossed his mind, a leopard resting on the same tree fell upon him and mauled him to death.
It so happened that this tree was the famous wish fulfilling tree, called the “kalpavriksha”. According to our scriptures, it is our own mind that is our friend if used wisely, and the same mind works as our enemy if we use it foolishly. Swami Chinmayanandaji used to warn us, “Be very careful of your thoughts, they soon become your speech and speech soon translates as action.” Noble and positive thoughts bless you with peace and contentment, which are the key to happiness. Negative thoughts soon bring agitation, restlessness and discontent into our lives. It is well known that an agitated and unhappy mind is the cause of so many mental and physical diseases. A saint sitting like a beggar under a tree is called “Maharaj” in India. Not because he owns trillions, but because his mind is totally content and peaceful and he desires nothing. Prarthna Saran, President Chinmaya Mission Delhi
