Turtle was resting outside his burrow and noticed a shiny object on the distant hill. As he rushed (for a turtle that is) and approached the object; it continued to glitter in the sun, like a fine piece of gold. Turtle was growing excited and began to dream how he was going to spend the money from his find.
As turtle reached to pick-up the object, he realized it wasn’t a piece of gold at all, but the shiny back of a scorpion whose shell was acting as a reflector.
Quickly, before disturbing the sleepy scorpion and getting bitten, turtle turned around and rushed (for a turtle that is) back to his burrow for safety.
The Lesson
In a spiritual search, often travelers are attracted to the flashy and shiny; seeking instruction from famous, glamorous and even exotic personages. Initially, these teachers look and sound real good. They may even appear on public television, the religion channel or in a large, fancy Mosque or Church; but after a time, their message and instruction may waste your time, turn around and even bite you; leaving you empty.
Most often the real hidden guides of humanity look like everyone else, live next door and spend a great deal of time deflecting potential students. They have real work to do, and unprepared, self seeking students take up much time.
In this story, Turtle realizes at the last moment, he was mistaken to be motivated by greed; this shiny, dangerous object was not for him and potentially deadly.
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Also by Dr. Bitkoff, A Commuter’s Guide to Enlightenment, Llewellyn, 2008 and Journey of Light: Trilogy, Authorhouse, 2004. These books are available on Amazon.Com or from publisher.
To contact author go to: www.stewartbitkoff.com or e-mail: goldpath@ptd.net.
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