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It is still one of the most beautiful valleys. It is entirely surrounded by hills, filled with orange groves. Many years ago there were very few houses among the trees and orchards but now there are many more; the roads are wider, more traffic, more noise, especially at the west end of the valley. But the hills and high peaks remain the same, untouched by man. There are many trails leading to the high mountains and one walked endlessly along them. One met bears, rattle snakes, deer and once a bob cat (a lynx). The bob cat was there ahead, down the narrow trail, purring and rubbing himself against rocks and the short trunks of trees. The breeze was coming up the canyon and so one could get quite close to him. He was really enjoying himself, delighted with his world. His short tail was up, his pointed ears straight forward, his russet hair bright and clean, totally unaware that someone was just behind him about twenty feet away. We went down the trail for about a mile, neither of us making the least sound. It was really a beautiful animal, spritely and graceful. There was a narrow stream ahead of us and wishing not to frighten him when we came to it, one whispered a gentle greeting. He never looked round, that would have been a waste of time, but streaked off, completely disappearing in a few seconds. We had been friends, though, for a considerable time.
The valley is filled with the smell of orange blossom, almost overpowering, especially in the early mornings and evening. It was in the room, in the valley and in every corner of the earth and the god of flowers blessed the valley. It would be really hot in the summer and that had its own peculiarity. Many years ago, when one went there, there was a marvellous atmosphere; it is still there to a lesser degree. Human beings are spoiling it as they seem to spoil most things. It will be as before. A flower may wither and die but it will come back with its loveliness.
Have you ever wondered why human beings go wrong, become corrupt, indecent in their behaviour aggressive, violent and cunning? It's no good blaming the environment, the culture or the parents. We want to put the responsibility for this degeneration on others or on some happening. Explanations and causes are an easy way out. The ancient Hindus called it Karma, what you sowed you reaped. The psychologists put the problem in the lap of the parents. What the so-called religious people say is based on their dogma and belief. But the question is still there.
Then there are others, born generous, kind, responsible. They are not changed by the environment or any pressure. They remain the same in spite of all the clamour. Why?
Any explanation is of little significance. All explanations are escapes, avoiding the reality of what is. This is the only thing that matters. The what is can be totally transformed with the energy that is wasted in explanations and in searching out the causes. Love is not in time nor in analysis, in regrets and recriminations. It is there when desire for money, position and the cunning deceit of the self are not.
1973年9月18日
它仍然是最美丽的山谷之一,四周完全为小山所围绕,种满了柳橙的小树林。很多年以前,在树木和果园之中,房子非常少,但是现在有很多了;路更宽阔,车辆更多,噪音更多我,特别是山谷的西端更是如此。但是小山和高峰却仍然一样,不为人类所触碰。有很多小径通到高山,而人们沿着这些小径走个不停。人们会遇到熊、响尾蛇、鹿,以及有一次遇到一只山猫。山猫就在前面,在狭窄的小径上,发出低哼的声音,在岩石和短短的树干上摩擦着自己的身体。微风正吹上峡谷,人们能够十分接近它。它真的在自得其乐,沉迷于自己的世界之中。它的短尾巴向上翅起,尖尖的耳朵直直朝向前面,赤褐色的毛发明亮而清净,完全没有意识到:有人就在它后面大约二十呎外的地方。我们在小径上大约走了一哩路,它和我都没有发出一点点的声音。它真是一只美丽的动物,动作很像精灵,姿态很优雅。我们前面有一条狭窄的小溪;我希望当我们来到涉溪时不去惊吓它,所以我低声温和地招呼着。它不曾环顾四周,那会浪费时间的;它只是奔驰而去,在几秒之间完全不见踪影。可是我们有相当长的时间曾是朋友。
山谷充满柳橙花的气味,几乎压倒一切气味,特别是在清晨和傍晚。气味飘在房间、山谷,以及大地的每个角落,而花之神祝福山谷。在夏天时,天气会真的很热,有其特殊之处。很多年以前,当人们去那儿时,那儿透露出一种美妙的气氛;这种气氛现在仍然存在,只是比较不那么强烈。人类正在破坏它 ---- 人类似乎破坏了大部分的东西。情况将如同以前一样。一朵花可能凋谢,但是它会再开放,重现其可爱。
你曾经想过吗?为什么人类会做错事、表现腐败、行为粗鄙 ---- 野心勃勃、暴烈且狡猾?归罪于环境、文化或父母是没有用的。我们总想把造成这种堕落的责任推到别人或什么事情上。“说明”与“缘由”是容易的解决方法。古代的印度人称之为业“KARMA” ---- 怎么播种就怎么收获。心理学家把问题推到父母身上。所谓虔诚的人所说的话,则是基于他们的教条和信仰。但是问题仍然存在。
还有其他人、天生慷慨、仁慈、负责。他们并不为环境或任何压力所改变。尽管有一切的喧闹,他们还是一样。为什么?
任何的说明都没有什么意义。所有的说明都是逃避,避开事实的真相。这一点是唯一要紧的事情。当你浪费精力于说明以及寻找缘由时,事情的本然可能会完全改变。爱并不在于时间之中,也不是在分析、悔恨与自责之中。当人们不再欲求金钱、地位,当人们不再表现狡猾的欺骗,爱就会存在。 |
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