Carrying Grudges and Hatred is Forbidden!
Seyed Hshem Moosavi
One day, an elderly wise scholar said to his disciples, “I want to share a secret with you. But before that, you must completely and without question, follow my instructions.” The disciples listened with great curiosity and attention. The wise elder told them that the next day, each of them should bring a bag and put as many potatoes in it as the number of people they have enmity or a grudge against and bring it with them to him.
The next day, each disciple came to their master with a bag of potatoes. Some had only a few potatoes, while others had bags that were very heavy and filled with many. The wise man looked at the bags and said, “You must carry these bags with you wherever you go for one week.”
Days passed, and gradually the disciples began to complain about the foul smell of the rotting potatoes. Those with more potatoes in their bags were tired of carrying the heavy load and murmured under their breath.
They wondered, “What is the point of this story? This is very difficult and painful. It would be better if the scholar ended this sooner. This ordeal is exhausting us, and even worse, the foul smell of the rotten potatoes is bothering others around us, causing them to distance themselves from us.”
The deadline set by the master passed. After a week, the wise master allowed them to discard the bags as quickly as possible. The disciples did so, relieved to be rid of the stinking, heavy bags, and they felt at peace.
They asked the wise master, “What was the lesson? What was the secret in this story?”
The professor asked, “Well, how did you feel about carrying the potatoes with you for just ‘one week’?”
The disciples all responded, “It was terrible.” They complained about having to carry the smelly and heavy potatoes everywhere they went.
Then the wise elder, with a wise smile, said, “My friends, carrying these bags of rotten and heavy potatoes is just like the situation happening inside your heart and soul. You hold onto the grudges and hatred against those you dislike or have enmity with, carrying them everywhere you go.
The foul smell and heaviness are the ‘grudges and hatred’ that corrupt and darken your heart. You carry them with you everywhere, and unintentionally, you cause those around you to be offended and distance themselves from you.
If you couldn’t bear the weight and foul smell of potatoes for just ‘one week,’ how is it that you bear the stench of hatred and the heaviness of grudges in your heart and soul throughout your entire life?”
