Consider the futility of seeking satisfaction in the future and realize that it is not necessary. Don't delay!
Diogenes, the Greek mystic, is a rare flowering of human consciousness.
When Alexander the Great went to conquer India, he met Diogenes. Diogenes lay naked on the sand on the river bank and sunbathed. He was beautiful, because when the soul is beautiful, a beauty that is not from this world arises in a person. Alexander could not even imagine a person of such beauty, and he said in awe:
- Oh Lord...
He had never said this to anyone before in his life. He said:
- Sir, I am amazed by your existence, and I would like to do something for you. Is there anything I can do for you?
Diogenes answered him:
“Just move a little to the side, because you’re blocking the sun, that’s all.” I don't need anything else.
Alexander stepped aside and said thoughtfully:
“If I have another opportunity to come to earth, I will ask God to make me Diogenes instead of Alexander.”
Diogenes laughed:
- Who is stopping you right now? Where are you going? For months I saw the movement of troops. Where are you going? And why?
“I’m going to India to conquer the whole world.”
- And what will you do then? - asked Diogenes.
“Then I’ll rest.”
Diogenes laughed again and said:
- You're crazy! I'm resting now. I'm already blissful. I haven't conquered the world, I just don't see the need to. You want to rest and relax at the end, but why not now? Who told you that before you can rest, you have to conquer the world? I'm telling you, if you don't rest now, you'll never rest. You will never be able to conquer the whole world... you will die in the middle of the campaign. Everyone dies in the middle of such a journey.
Alexander replied that he would keep this in mind and was very grateful, but right now he couldn’t stop.
And he died in the middle of the campaign. He did not return home, he died on the way.
And then, centuries later, they told a strange story that Diogenes died on the same day. And they met on the way to God, crossing the river. Alexander was a few feet ahead and heard someone coming from behind. He looked around and saw Diogenes, that same beautiful man. Alexander was surprised and ashamed. Trying to hide his embarrassment, he said:
“So we meet again, emperor and beggar.”
And Diogenes said:
- It's true. But you don’t understand, you don’t know who is the emperor and who is the beggar. Because I have lived my life totally, fully, I have enjoyed it, I can stand before God. And you will not be able to stand before God. Look inside yourself! What did you get by defeating the whole world? You can't even look me in the eyes - your life has been lived in vain.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru