The Mountain

Change always begins within—in the mind where we create our thoughts.

- Steve Priester

Two men approach a mountain. One man is fancily attired, very serious and has a sense of sureness about him; his focus is outward. The other man is in simple dress, relaxed, with a sense of peace about him; his focus is inward.

The man in the colorful robe, with a gold crown on his head, holds out his crosier and proclaims, “If I had but the faith of a mustard seed, I could move that mountain!” He believes what he sees with his eyes, and he wants to change the world. His vision is clouded and narrow, and he believes the world is full of problems only he can solve. His mind is always busy, jumping from one thought to another. There is little time for being.

The man in the hooded robe with a walking stick calmly says, “I have the faith of a mustard seed, and that mountain is exactly where it’s supposed to be!” He knows that All is in Divine Order. He sees with a quiet mind, listens to the silence, and knows beyond doubt that All is Perfect always. His vision is clear and wide. His mind has never forgotten the peace it once knew.

Which man are you like?

Do you see a world full of violence and injustice? 

Do you see hatred, anger and indifference? If the mountain is to be moved, who will decide where it is to go? Imagine the wars being fought over where the mountain should be. If the world is changed, how will the lessons of the mountain be learned? What if our ultimate lesson is that the mountain just “is”?