This, Too, Will Pass
A story from ‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle and the wisdom of his books are brilliant. As you flip through each page and accept the words, you experience a change in your soul.
Not just the perspective that shifts, the overall attitude towards life undergoes a transition.
One of such stories or anecdotes allows me to consider life events in a completely new light.
Below are a few excerpts from the book — ‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle.
The Discovery of Inner Space
There lived a king in some Middle Eastern land who was continuously torn between happiness and despondency. The slightest thing would cause him great upset or provoke an intense reaction, and his happiness would quickly turn into disappointment and despair. Finally, a time came when the king finally got tired of himself and if life, and he began to seek a way out.
He sent for a wise man who lived in his kingdom and was reputed to be enlightened. When the wise man came, the king said to him, “I want to be like you. Can you give me something that will bring balance, serenity, and wisdom into my life? I will pay any price you ask.”
The wise man said, “I may be able to help you. But the price is so great that your entire kingdom would not be sufficient payment for it. Therefore it will be a gift to you if you will honor it.”
The king gave his assurances, and the wise man left.
He returned a few weeks later and handed the king an ornate box carved in jade. The king opened the box and found a simple gold ring inside. Some letters were inscribed on the ring.
The inscription read:
This, too, will pass.
“What is the meaning of this?” asked the king. The wise man said, “Wear this ring always. Whatever happens, before you call it good or bad, touch this ring and read the inscription. That way, you will always be at peace.”
Those words inscribed on the ring are not telling you that you should not enjoy the good in your life, nor are they merely meant to provide some comfort in times of suffering. They have a deeper purpose: to make you aware of the fleetingness of every situation, which is due to the transience of all forms — good or bad. When you become aware of the transcience of all forms, your attachment to them lessens, and you disidentify from them to some extent.
Being detached does not mean that you cannot enjoy the good that the world offers. You enjoy it more.
When detached, you gain a higher vantage point from which to view the events in your life instead of being trapped inside them.
The recognition that This, too, will pass brings detachment, and with detachment, another dimension comes into your life — inner space.
And from that space emanates a peace that is not “of this world” because this world is ‘form,’ and the peace is ‘space.’
Closing Thoughts
The above text directly references the book — “A New Earth.”
Reading gives us the power to open up new windows inside our minds and an option to explore the author’s views under a different lens. Every writer or author expresses their learning, experience, and perspective; and then leaves the words to be interpreted by other readers differently.
But, Eckhart Tolle has expressed ‘The New Earth’ in such a brilliant manner that it was challenging to reengage and redefine the perspective.
And that’s why I decided to share “This, too, will pass” as it is. No filter.
Now, I leave you to allow your mind to take its perspective on this story and make the necessary adjustment.
Hopefully, the book and the perspective of ‘This, too, will pass” will help you consider life events completely new, as it did to me.
And if not — keep reiterating this story to yourself.
Because:
This, too, will pass.
Nishith is an author and creator of a unique self-development platform — “Be Better Bit-By-Bit.”
Grab your copy of his debut book — Be Better Bit-By-Bit and listen to his podcasts Be Better Bit-By-Bit and 10 Bullets — 100 Words Book Summary.
