240. Lifeguard and Swimmer

The Sufi’s have a lot of teaching stories. Here’s another one I remember because it is a familiar theme told in a different way:

The Life guard and the Swimmer

“Once there was a popular beach which was always crowded but because of currents, was also dangerous for the many swimmers who frolicked there.

One person got into trouble swimming, cried for help, and was rescued by the lifeguard who had been stationed on the beach.

But as soon as the same person caught his breath on the beach, he dashed back into the water where he again got into trouble and again cried for help.

There were many other swimmers in the water who also needed the lifeguard’s attention.

How many times do you think the busy lifeguard would rescue this same foolish person?”

The popular but dangerous beach represents the thoughtless life style and the pursuit of pleasure of ordinary people. The man crying for help represents an awakening person who understands that there may be another more spiritual purpose to life. The lifeguard represents the spiritual guide who may be able to “rescue” the awakening person, but since there are so few “lifeguards” and so many “drowning people”, the chance of being “rescued” more than once are very slim.

See, BEFORE you get the Word, the “message”, you are in a State of Natural Grace, innocent; but AFTER you have heard “The Truth” you are Responsible, and will suffer if you do not act appropriately and “be saved”.

Ignorance IS bliss, as it were!

I have heard this same sales pitch from Christian Missionaries, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baha’i’s, Hari Krishna’s and others who offer The Truth” for “a limited time only” to a select few. Now I hear it from Moslems! 

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