The Day When I Saw a Social Worker Training Himself as a Beggar

Spiritual learnings from a $5 investment in a rush hour on a cold and rainy day, giving me déjà vu

Rain and cold weather don’t faze me personally, as they are part of my physical training regimen, but I empathize deeply with those who struggle during such gloomy days. I understand the profound impact they can have on people’s survival instincts and mental well-being.

As the late afternoon descended, I finished work and dashed to the mini-market before catching my usual train home. With the family eagerly anticipating a meal, I grabbed a few essentials, including some high-quality dark chocolates sweetened with stevia alongside our usual whole foods. The children and visiting neighbors’ kids are always keen on those chocolate treats.

As I stepped out of the shop, the bustling streets of Melbourne’s CBD were teeming with hundreds of people hurrying toward the train station. I glanced at my phone and noted that my next train was due in 17 minutes. Not far from the shop, about 50 meters away, a beggar stood without an umbrella but with a bucket hat, reaching out to passersby for assistance.

Despite the cold, windy evening and the relentless rain, the beggar appeared despondent. Most passersby with colorful umbrellas hurried past, tossing coins as they rushed toward the train station, seemingly oblivious to his presence. Yet, amidst it all, the beggar continued to express gratitude, repeating, ‘Thank you, blessings to you and your loved ones,’ unwaveringly.

I approached the beggar slowly, extending a $5 bill. A warm smile adorned his face as he expressed, ‘Thank you, sir, for your generosity. Blessings to you and your loved ones.’ I welcomed his gratitude and initiated a brief conversation, gently and politely inquiring about his day.

Then, I discovered the remarkable depth of his voice, accompanied by an articulate and educated accent. Intrigued, I offered him one of the chocolates I had bought for the kids. His eyes lit up with delight as he accepted it, savoring each bite mindfully. As we continued talking, our conversation took on a depth that surprised me.

The conversation felt surreal, like I was in a lucid dream. His inquiries were thought-provoking, and his responses carried a scholarly eloquence that added depth to our intimate exchange.

During our conversation, I noticed passersby casting unusual glances my way. I sensed their silent judgments, but I was engrossed in the puzzle of this intriguing encounter and didn’t let their perceptions distract me. As we spoke, I realized I had missed my train, and the next one wouldn’t arrive for another 30 minutes.

I was deeply curious about this beggar and intrigued by the enigmatic aura surrounding him. However, in due time, the mystery unraveled on its own, revealing the truth behind his intriguing demeanor and character.

With a warm greeting, he introduced himself, saying, “Hi, I’m Oliver. I sense an intuitive trust in you; your integrity speaks volumes. What I share remains between us. I’ve been a senior social worker, aiding thousands in need. Yet, my heart yearned for something more, leading me to delve into the study of mysticism.”

In an unexpected moment, the image of my neuroscientist friend, Benjamin, flashed through my mind, briefly creating a connection that made me wonder if it was him, only to realize, in the next instant, that it wasn’t.

Observing my surprise reflected in my body language, he, having delved deeply into the domains of human psychology for a long time, had seemingly already formed his own conclusions about my character and identity.

Sensing my eager anticipation and undivided attention, he gently remarked, “You’re running late for your family; two trains have already passed you by. The rest of the tale can wait for another day when you return, granting us more time to delve deeper into this heart-to-heart conversation.”

My curiosity was strong, but I didn’t want to overstep any boundaries. When I hesitated, he kindly offered to return the $5. Upon my insistence, he relented, stating, “Alright, I’ll donate it to someone who truly needs it, just like all the earnings I receive from begging.”

This gesture sent chills down my spine. It sparked a flood of questions, connecting Oliver’s story to numerous other incidents and serendipitous encounters in my life.

Lost in contemplation, I hadn’t realized two hours had passed until my phone began ringing incessantly with concerned calls from family members, wondering what had delayed me.

Upon arriving home, my wife was curious, but I felt reluctant to share this particular event with her. I ended up resorting to a white lie, explaining that I ran into a friend on the street, and our conversation became so engrossing that time slipped away unnoticed while he had much to share with me.

My wife seemed to accept my explanation and stopped probing further, yet there lingered a hint of doubt in her expression. I’ve heard from friends that some women can get suspicious when their husbands are delayed, but I’m grateful that my wife doesn’t harbor such thoughts about me.

That night, I dreamt of my neuroscientist friend, who appeared and congratulated me, stating that I was about to meet another soulmate. It wasn’t a lucid dream, yet it was so vivid that it stayed etched in my memory.

The following day, I left work an hour earlier, stepping out into the rainy, windy weather once more. To my surprise, Oliver seemed just as he had the day before. This time, however, he called me by my name and swiftly cut to the heart of the matter, his demeanor exuding an air of trust and familiarity.

I discovered that Oliver had been entrusted with this task by a guru who had initiated and trained him to become a mystic. According to his guru’s teachings, the most profound education in life comes from hands-on experience, taming the ego, building resilience, and gaining stamina by embracing life’s hardships. Flexibility and resilience were emphasized as crucial attributes for navigating life’s challenges and setbacks.

I inquired of Oliver how long this training might endure. His response was that it would persist until his guru deemed him mature enough for this level. Curious about his feelings regarding this rigorous process, I asked whether he found it fulfilling or if he perceived it as excessively demanding.

His response was resolute. He expressed his absolute love for it. Over the last six months, he noted substantial progress in his spiritual growth, mental fortitude, and even improvements in his physical and emotional well-being.

Understanding the potential interruptions our street conversations might pose to his training, Oliver suggested we meet at his place on the weekend. He handed me his phone number and home address, inviting me into a space where our discussions could flow without the distractions of the bustling streets.

Upon visiting his home and seeing Oliver in a decent dress, an overwhelming sense of déjà vu washed over me, as if I had stepped into that house countless times before.

Initially hesitant to share this feeling, I eventually mentioned it to Oliver. Surprised, he wanted to convey this message to his guru and promised to discuss it further during our next meeting.

During my subsequent visit, another gentleman, slightly older than Oliver and radiating warmth, was seated there. He greeted me with a smile and embraced me warmly.

Assuming he was a member of Oliver’s family, it wasn’t until Oliver finally introduced him that I learned that this was his guru, Shankar, who said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr Mehmet.”

I pondered how Shankar knew my title and name before I had even mentioned it. It occurred to me that Oliver might have previously mentioned it to him.

Initially, I couldn’t believe Shankar to be a guru and thought he might be joking, perhaps referring to a friend or family member as a “guru,” as Shankar didn’t fit my preconceived notion of a traditional guru.

He appeared highly educated and carried himself with Western manners. He was indeed an emeritus professor of psychiatry, cognitive psychology, and linguistics at a reputable academic institution where I studied long ago.

Shankar was originally from India but was raised in Australia, where he visited many countries and learned multiple languages, coming from a multicultural background.

He doesn’t follow the conventional path of a guru working with many individuals. Instead, he focuses on assisting a select few to delve into the experience of mysticism as a spiritual hobby.

The guru affirmed that my déjà vu was accurate. I had indeed visited the homes of several of his students in the past. These students decorate their houses using the designs of their friend, an expert in Feng Shui.

I knew that Feng Shui was an ancient Chinese practice that arranged spaces to achieve harmony and balance, fostering peace and prosperity.

Benjamin’s house seemed to reflect similar principles. Interestingly, Shankar seemed to possess information about me before I had learned anything about his background. Then he asked me where I was still in touch with my close friend Brendon.

When I inquired about how Shankar knew Brendon, I discovered that he, too, was Brendon’s guru. Although Brendon was a long-term friend, he had never mentioned meeting Shankar. This deepened my respect for Brendon’s commitment to confidentiality.

This encounter felt like another heart-warming, soul-enriching, serendipitous encounter in my life, reaffirming the warmth I feel towards humanity and serving as a reminder not to judge anyone solely by their appearance.

Serendipity seems to knock on my door constantly, and I’ve learned to respond with courage and grace, following the wisdom imparted by my soulful guide, Rumi.

“Greet them at the doorsteps with a smile. Invite them all inside and embrace them as your guests. Show your appreciation to whoever visits your house. See them as guides coming beyond the self.”

I translated that poem from Rumi when I was 22 studying linguistics, and you can read my translation of the famous Guesthouse in this story.

While ending this piece, I’ll save the details of my subsequent conversations with Oliver, Shankar, Brendon, and Benjamin for a beautiful walk around the beach on a sunny day for another story. These conversations were rich, captivating, and comprehensive enough to be woven into a separate narrative.

In the meantime, you can meet Benjamin and Brendon from the previous stories.

You may also check out another soulful connection of mine.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

To inform my new readers, I wrote numerous articles that might inform and inspire you. My topics include brain and cognitive function, significant health conditions, longevity, nutrition/food, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, writing/reading, and humor. 100+ Insightful Life Lessons from My Circles for the Last 50+ Years

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