Peace of Mind!

In this fast paced world, I hear many say that they are not peaceful , though they have everything. Here is a beautiful story for such people.

Once there was a king, who had everything. His people were good, his treasury was always filled, he had a beautiful family, good ministers, and his people were satisfied with his rule. But he lacked on thing- mental peace. He was restless all the time and realised that he has lost his peace of mind. He searched everywhere but couldn't find. He consulted his ministers and many scholars. None of their suggested ways or answers satisfied him. He called all sages and hermits in his kingdom and consulted them. But, lo! Again. Their answers couldn't solve his issues.

One day, while he was loitering in his garden and thinking about his issue. He heard a beggar singing happily on the roads. He could say that the beggar was really happy and peaceful. The king immediately sent for him as he wanted to ask him how he was so happy.

The beggar sent word back that he won't step into the palace and if the king really wants to meet him, then the king has to come out. The soldiers informed the king the beggar's message. Instead of getting angry, the king felt even more inquisitive to know how the beggar was so free and happy. So, he went to the streets to meet the beggar.

"How are you so happy? I saw you singing so happily. How can you be so happy even though you don't have anything?", said the King.

"Why are you asking me this?" asked the beggar.

The king replied, "No...I have everything a person could ask for in this world inside the palace. Still, I cannot find peace of mind. I am not able to find the real reason. I have asked many from ministers to spiritual leaders. But none could give me a reason. I thought you could solve my problem, so asked you."

The beggar started laughing. The king couldn't understand why he was laughing. Still he waited for an answer. 

The beggar said, "Leave the palace."

The king asked," How can I leave the palace? I have so many duties to complete as a king."

The beggar again said, " You cannot have two birds in one hand. If you want  to be a king and still want peace, it is never going to happen. You can have only one at a time. Look at me. I neither have the riches nor the responsibilities of a king. I am a free man. I don't need to worry that something will go away from me. I am not worried about my power. That's the real reason for my happiness."

The king became really happy with the answer. He gave the gold chain that he was wearing to the beggar. But, the beggar denied it and said "If I get that from you I will lose my peace of mind as I will be thinking various ways to protect and save it. I don't need it."

Then, the king really understood that he wouldn't get real peace of mind and he also understood that he would never get it. 

We are running behind riches and power, that we have really forgotten what is real peace of mind and we really can achieve it if we forego all our attachments and greed to earn more. We are running behind money thinking that we want it for spending our final stages of life. But, we have forgotten that we are losing the present thinking about the future. 

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