The Blessed Vessel

Stop, pause, wait, and listen to the sound.

Life is moving and passes you at alarming rates, going back and forth.

Like the to and fro of waves crashing on to beaches.

What is the sound and what are you supposed to be listening for?

The questions fill the master’s head as the disciple asks questions about the mysteries of life.

The master asks “Where does the heart of man lie and what degree is its nature?”

The disciple, puzzled, retreats to meditate on the question in solitude.

Where does the heart of man reside and what is its nature?-puzzling indeed!

Flowing through the realms of reality searching for the seekers quest.

To understand the mystery of life and all its perplexities.

The heart of man lies in his moral and social obligations to his family and society.

The nature of the heart of man is good and sometimes forced to do bad things.

The disciple excited about the vision of grandeur, rushed to the side of the master.

Telling the master the answer to his earlier inquiry.

Pleased, the master smiles and takes the disciple to the temple to reflect on his ideas.

While observing the rituals of ceremony at the temple the master asks again.

Where does the heart of man lie and what is the measure of its nature?

Puzzled and discouraged the disciple enters the temple, pondering on the question.

After taking part in the usual ceremonial acts of their faith the disciple leaves the temple.

He finds his master under an apple tree eating an apple and drinking wine.

Have you found the answer to the question yet, the master asks?

The heart of man lies in his goodness and ritual to his GOD and his family.

The measure of the man’s nature lies in his deeds and actions toward his fellow man.

Pleased that his humble disciple was earnest and humble, he imparted the knowledge of his fathers.

The wisdom of the ages the master was about to pass down.

To be nurtured and brought forth in a new light of new understanding and action.

The light of a man’s heart lies not in his belief of GOD or his societal obligations.

Nor does the nature of the man lie in his deeds of good actions and bad actions.

The Heart of a man lies in his awareness of the sacredness of life and all of his actions.

The deeds of a man can be extended from one extreme to another.

What makes a man’s deeds holy and sacred is the nature in which he does the deeds and acts.

Just like a vessel used in the ritual ceremonies of worship are regarded as sacred while it’s being used.

You take that same vessel and put it in the market square for sale, and then it’s just an expensive vessel.

So too is the residence of the heart of man, when stored in the sacredness of the ritual of life.

When the acts are done in reverence and humility to all life, then you will know your true heart.

The measure of the man’s heart becomes apparent when man performs his life as a ceremonial celebration.

Just like the flower blossoms and releases its sweet fragrance for all to enjoy.

The fragrance is not because of the deeds of the flower but comes from its innate nature.

Likewise, the man’s heart grows in his ritual and ceremony and releases its natural scent of love and joy.

The deeds and actions of man will be highly regarded and looked to for guidance.

When his vessel (his holy temple –his body) is not just used for the instinctual desires.

Just like grass lies down in whichever way the wind blows,

So will the heart and nature of man flow in the way he is performing his duties to all other living beings.

The way of the blessed vessel.


Dwayne Chamble