Children, we can learn everything we need to know just by observing nature. Nature is a storehouse of knowledge and the guru of human race. If we observe nature with an inquisitive mind, we can learn lessons from every object. There are many lessons for us to learn from mammals, birds, plants, trees, ants… even from tiny worms. But in order to do this, we need focus, humility and discriminative thinking. For people with these qualities, this world becomes an open book—a true encyclopaedia of world knowledge. Every individual, every object is a page from that book.
Amma has heard a story wherein a king who had been defeated in battle seven times observed a spider weaving a web and, understanding an important lesson from that, went on to win the war. Everyone knows the story of the Avadhuta (from Srimad Bhagavatam) who imbibed teachings from 24 different “natural” gurus—gurus such as space, fire, the dove, the eagle, the snake, the ocean, etc.
A vulture may fly high in the skies, but it will have its gaze fixed on dead bodies and other foul things. The lesson here is that one who has ascended material heights hasn’t necessarily reached spiritual heights. Honey bees gather honey, but then others steal it. This teaches us that if gold and money and other forms of wealth are hoarded without enjoying them or sharing them with others, they will eventually be lost.
Just look at a common ant, which many people consider worthless. The ant always moves forward. If anything obstructs its path, it will go around it. If it cannot go around it, it will go over it or under it, burrowing through the sand. The ant shows us that through constant perseverance, we can overcome any obstacle.
In truth, we can learn lessons from anyone and anything.
Amma remembers a story: Once a king was traveling through a village. Suddenly, a rock came flying by and hit him on the forehead. Blood started flowing. His servants immediately applied medicine and wrapped the wound. Some of them then went in search of the person who threw the stone. After a while, they brought back an old lady. That old lady said, “O king, my grandson has gone hungry for the past three days. When I saw a tree with ripe mangoes, I thought that at least one mango from among them would appease his hunger. So, I threw a stone at the tree, but unfortunately, it hit your forehead. I’m feeling so guilty. I am so sorry. I am ready to accept any punishment.” Hearing the words of the old lady, the king commanded his servants to give her whatever money and food she required and then let her go.
His servants followed his command but, unable to control their surprise, they asked him, “O king! We are surprised that, instead of punishing this old lady who injured you, you are rewarding her.”
The king replied, “A tree returns sweet fruits to those who throw stones at it. If a tree, which is devoid of intellect and the ability to think discriminatively, can do that, why cannot a man who has such faculties? There is another lesson here: we should give happiness to even those who hurt us. Thinking in this light, how could I harm that sweet lady?”
Those who have focus and the ability to think with discrimination can imbibe lessons from each and everything in creation. Such people are like mirrors that reflect the shortcomings of others. Aren’t our feelings hurt when others become angry at us or make fun of us or unnecessarily criticise us? We should know in our hearts that this means that others will be similarly affected if we criticise or make fun of them. So, never speak or behave in any way by which others will become hurt. When we feel sad and hopeless, we should observe nature and try to learn lessons from its sacrifice and service. When a person loves us, don’t we feel happy? Similarly, we should understand that, when we treat others with love and kindness, it will bring happiness to them as well. With this understanding, we should strive to learn to love everyone.