parochial

mahrtuh chee guhrtzahv huhmaiyn deeehzehrkuh uhmpernehl
pohrtzetch aiyn pahtzadrehlou hahmahr buhzdeektznehl

Once an illumined sage was lying down on the side of a country road. He was fallen in a state of ecstatic contemplation of love of God. Not longer aware of his immediate surrounding, he was swooning in his meditative thoughts of love.

A day laborer walked by and noticed the man. He thought, “This worker is a lazy fool. Instead of sleeping at night and working hard during the day, he is sleeping on the job and will probably get fired by his employer.” He felt disdain for the sleeping man and a snug pride that he was so much more serious and attentive to his own obligations as a hard worker.

Soon after, a drunkard rambled by and noticed the sage. He mumbled, “I can hold my drink and walk straight. I am not going to fall down in the street like you.” He continued his meandering stroll content with his self declared prowess.

Another sage walked by and recognized that the man lying on the roadside was a great saint in a state of deep contemplation. He sat down and prayed intensely waiting patiently.

Thus, our parochial mindset often prevents us from understanding our observations correctly due to projecting our own limitations on what we see.

Can a frog in a small well understand the expansive breath of the ocean? Can the blind man understand the brilliance of the sun at high noon or the myriad hues of a spectacular sunset?