Many candidates were invited to interview for a position as wireless operator at a telegraph office. They stood in a long line outside the office waiting for their names to be called. But that waiting was not silent. Conversations were going on, and either outside or inside, all were lost in their own thoughts.
Just then, a man standing at the very back left the line and went into the telegraph office. Perhaps no one saw him go.
People saw him only later, when he came out carrying an appointment letter in hand saying, "I have been appointed to the position advertised in the papers. So for you there is no need to stand in line here, you can go home."
A great hubbub arose when they heard this.
They shouted slogans like: "Favoritism," "Kill him."
People started complaining, "When this man had already been selected what was the need to call all of us here? "
But a big official from the telegraph office came out and said, "Your conclusion is wrong. This person was appointed only because he successfully completed the test. Through a loud speaker on top of the telegraph office we broadcasted in telegraph signals: 'Whoever understands this message, immediately come inside your appointment letter is ready.' But if you were occupied with your conversations and couldn't hear the tapping, what fault is that of ours?"
Just then, a man standing at the very back left the line and went into the telegraph office. Perhaps no one saw him go.
People saw him only later, when he came out carrying an appointment letter in hand saying, "I have been appointed to the position advertised in the papers. So for you there is no need to stand in line here, you can go home."
A great hubbub arose when they heard this.
They shouted slogans like: "Favoritism," "Kill him."
People started complaining, "When this man had already been selected what was the need to call all of us here? "
But a big official from the telegraph office came out and said, "Your conclusion is wrong. This person was appointed only because he successfully completed the test. Through a loud speaker on top of the telegraph office we broadcasted in telegraph signals: 'Whoever understands this message, immediately come inside your appointment letter is ready.' But if you were occupied with your conversations and couldn't hear the tapping, what fault is that of ours?"
Ah! One day won't God say the same to each of us? So many are his calls - but amidst all our noise, has not his call become like the tapping of that telegraph signal?
God is calling each and every moment. But this mind of ours is busy with itself. Unless our minds become unoccupied we will not be able to hear his voice. Only the unoccupied mind is meditation. As we become empty - silent - wordless, his music fills our being to the brim.
Be silent - and know.