We told this story as part of our service yesterday at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett.
In Hasidic tradition there is a beautiful story that illustrates the moral danger implicit in mirrors.
A very rich young man went to see a Rabbi in order to ask his advice about what he should do with his life. The rabbi led him over to the window and asked him:
“What can you see through the glass?”
“I can see men coming and going and a blind man begging for alms in the street.”
Then the rabbi showed him a large mirror and said to him:
“Look in this mirror and tell me what you see.”
“I can see myself.”
“And you can’t see the others. Notice that the window and the mirror are both made of the same basic material, glass.
“You should compare yourself to these two kinds of glass. Poor, you saw other people and felt compassion for them. Rich – covered in silver – you see yourself.
“You will only be worth anything when you have the courage to tear away the coating of silver covering your eyes in order to be able to see again and love your fellow man.”
Bob Patrick
Seeing others truly and deeply without allowing my personal biases to reflect back at me from the window glass is what I think with this story. Windows and mirrors have some of the same properties as well as different properties.
This is both a reminder to not be so self focused as well as acknowledging that my self brings things to every table – both good and bad.
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it via WOW. So sorry I missed your service yesterday. Was feeling a little on the yucky side, but hated to miss it.
I hope you are feeling better today, Peggy.
I never miss a Sunday when I know a ‘Patrick’ person will be speaking. I had to make an exception last Sunday…..my next 7 days will be ‘out of kilter’ with this shift in my universe. Thanks for posting this story. It helped a little!
Diana