While coming to the office today, I heard the old story of the rabbit and the tortoise once again, the familiar tale we have all grown up with. Traditionally, the story carries a clear and widely accepted moral: slow and steady wins the race. The rabbit, confident in his speed, takes the race lightly and falls asleep midway, while the tortoise, slow but consistent, keeps moving and eventually wins.
This time, however, the story was told more as a joke than a lesson.
After narrating it, the teacher asked a young boy what he had learned from the story. Without missing a beat, the boy replied:
“No matter what happens, an afternoon nap is important.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
I laughed too, for a moment.
But soon after, my mind began to wander.
Why is it that we almost always look at stories, and life itself, from only one fixed angle?
Winning is considered good.
Losing is considered a mistake.
Speed is equated with success.
Stopping is labeled as failure.
The original moral of the story certainly has its value. Consistency, patience, and perseverance do matter. Yet, that child’s innocent response gently nudged us to look beyond the textbook lesson and ask: Is that the only truth this story holds?
In today’s world of endless competition and constant urgency, everyone seems to be running toward something, achievement, recognition, security, success. Yet somewhere along the way, we have forgotten where to pause, when to breathe, and how to simply be.
Isn’t taking a break, resting the mind, and allowing silence to settle within us also an essential part of life?
Perhaps that child said more than he realized.
From a spiritual perspective, we often remind ourselves that whatever we accumulate here, money, position, prestige, victories, will remain here. Everything is temporary. Everything is fleeting.
What truly stays with us is only inner peace.
What is the value of victory if the mind remains restless?
And if the mind is calm and content, does defeat really remain a defeat?
Sometimes, stopping is not escapism.
Sometimes, resting is not weakness.
Sometimes, sitting quietly is not giving up, it is returning to oneself…
And in returning to oneself, we meet our truest companion, the silent guide within, our Shri Sadguru.
There is an outer self that constantly urges us to run, compete, and prove.
And then there is an inner self, our Shri Sadguru, that gently reminds us to pause, to rest, to care.
The story can be seen from yet another angle.
Perhaps the rabbit knew he could win easily.
Perhaps he chose to stop, not out of arrogance, but to allow the tortoise the joy of victory.
Is there not a subtle spiritual height in stepping aside from one’s own triumph to make space for someone else’s happiness?
True wisdom often lies not only in perseverance, but also in letting go of the need to win.
Spiritual teachings often encourage us to expand our perspective, to not cling to a single interpretation, a single meaning, or a single truth. Practices like contemplation and remembrance cultivate this openness. They help us see beyond the obvious and remain flexible in understanding.
Otherwise, we merely accept what is told, stop questioning, and unknowingly walk through life with blindfolds on.
Perhaps the thoughts shared here are imperfect.
Perhaps they are not entirely right.
But the willingness to question, to explore different meanings, and to keep the mind open, that itself is a sign of inner growth.
In the end, life is not just about winning.
It is not just about running steadily or endlessly.
It is also about knowing when to stop,
when to rest,
and when to sit quietly and experience oneself in silence.
That balance, between effort and ease, movement and pause, may well be the true essence of life.
“Whenever I write ‘Sadguru’ or ‘Shri Sadguru’, I am referring to my revered Shri Sadguru, P. Pu. Sadgurunath Shri Kaka Maharaj (Shri Shripad Anant Vaidya).”
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#SpiritualWisdom #LettingGo #LifeLessons #Focus #Discernment #InnerPeace #GrowthMindset #Sileance #shrikaka #sadguru #newyear
Spiritual Awakening 