Introduction

Roszak (1995, p130) has mentioned Ginsburg’s poem; in reference to Zen ‘Satori’, or enlightenment;

I feel as if I am at a dead end
and so I am finished
All spiritual facts I realise
are true but I never escape
the feeling of being closed in
and the sordidness of self,
the futility of all that I
have seen and done and said

Thinking is an interesting phenomenon. There is a story (from spoken tradition in the sub-continent) that once a wanderer came to the Royal courts of Emperor Akbar. The stranger was an expert in languages and spoke 16 different languages with undistinguishable accent. He posed a challenge to all the ministers and intellectuals to determine his native tongue. Different people came forward and conversed with him in their own tongues. None could challenge his knowledge and mastery of language. Birbal, the Wazir, asked the man for time to think and requested him to be the guest of the palace for a day. The man smiled at their helplessness and agreed. He was given a Royal treat and allocated a Royal chamber. Having feasted on delicious food and sweets, he was in deep slumber the moment he hit the pillow. At around midnight, a shadow came from behind the curtains and splashed a bucketful of cold water on the stranger. The stranger shouted abuses and looked for the offender but could not find him. He made a mental note to complain to the emperor the next day and went back to sleep.

The next day, in the court, he took his place and sat erect in his chair, beaming with confidence and pride. The Emperor asked Birbal if he has the answer and Birbal nodded his head in an affirmative, smiling. He got up from his seat and told of the true native tongue of the stranger. Stranger was surprised. He accepted that the answer was right and requested Birbal to disclose how he found out about it. Birbal told his that the shadow that splashed cold water on him at night was none other than himself. Birbal said, “When you were deep in sleep and unmindful of your tricks, you shouted abuses in your native tongue.” . . . . . Read Full Text