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Question: The last time I was here, I told you about a book I was illustrating. I want to know whether it would be smart to go to different publishers, or whether I should try to publish it myself? Bawa Muhaiyaddeen: It is only when you hand your wisdom and your research to another person that he will be able to examine it carefully. His wisdom will reflect upon your wisdom, and if the work you have done is something that the world will accept, he will accept your work. Then you can investigate further and do accurate, advanced research. However, if the man does not accept your work, that’s all right. One way to look at the situation is that you should study further and deepen your knowledge. There is also another way to look at the same situation. A dancer, for example, practices his dancing at home. He stands in front of a mirror, dancing away the hours. And as he dances, he praises his own dancing, applauds himself, and continues to dance. But instead of praising himself, the dancer should try dancing on the street. By doing this, he can observe how people respond to his dancing. If his dancing is appreciated, then it may be worthwhile for him to study and practice further. Dancing on one’s own and praising one’s self is the wisdom of a fool. It is foolhardiness. In the same way, you have now written a book for others to read, and that is fine. However, if you try to publish your book, you will change into a book-seller. You will have to change into a book-seller. Then your learning will end, your work will end, and your patience will dwindle. You will become proud and arrogant. You will begin to think, “I am a learned one. I am a writer of books,” and you will descend to a very low state. You should, therefore, give this up. The world is teaching you now, but you should be trying to teach the world. The world is teaching you, your eyes teach you, your ears teach you, your nose teaches you, your mouth teaches you, your monkey mind teaches you, the dog of desire teaches you, hunger teaches you, your body teaches you, illness teaches you, blood, skin, flesh—everything teaches you. However, the day you begin to teach them, is the day you begin to learn. Then you can write a story. When you begin to teach them, when you subordinate them and make them your disciples, then you will have learned much. Educate the eye about all the things it desires, and bring it under control. Educate the ear about all the things it likes, and bring it under control. Guide it toward goodness. Educate the nose about all the things it likes, teach it right and wrong, and make it your disciple, your baby. Educate the tongue that constantly seeks different tastes. It seeks both good and bad tastes. Instruct it well, control it, and teach it to have patience. In this way, teach and control all aspects of yourself. If you reduce each aspect to a baby and teach it, then you will be able to learn. Teach your mind, desire, lust, anger, passion, maya, and pride. Instruct your desires for praise, respect, and gifts; teach them all. Then you will be a learned one, a scholar. Then you will need no advertising. Then everything will happen on its own. Consider everything, and do as your should. That’s good. Do you have a question?
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Muhaiyaddeen, M.R. Bawa. The Fast of Ramadan. Philadelphia: Fellowship Press, 2000, 2005. 57-58. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen for over 50 years selflessly shared his knowledge with people of every race, religion—from all parts of the world. Want more powerful words of wisdom that stir the mind and heart? Please visit www.thegoldenwords.com and find what your soul has been craving. CLICK HERE
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