The Fakir
What Ancient Mendicants Can Teach Us About Life, Leadership and the Pursuit Of Happiness
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As long as a human being worries about when he will die, and what he has that is his, all of his works are zero.
When affection for the I-creature and what it owns is dead, then the work of the Teacher is over — Sant Kabir
Pandemics have no silver linings, I keep telling myself. I also remind myself that I need to do whatever I can to help people as they navigate these uncharted and dangerous waters. I keep hoping and praying for the well being of everyone on this planet. Having said that, house arrest has forced me to use the pandemic as a powerful reminder of the things I should truly care about — the health and well being of my friends and family and my own spiritual quest for salvation. Perhaps, it helps you do the same.
If anything, the CoVID crisis puts our entire lives into perspective. A perspective that focuses our attention on the things that should truly matter to us. If you think about it, the pandemic has reminded us all about the true treasures in our life i.e. friends and family. That there is a pandemic outside is besides the point. These people should receive more of our care and attention. The pandemic also helps us temporarily suspend our constant pursuit of material pleasures (trips to shopping malls and discretionary spending are on hold) bringing us closer to a more spiritual and minimalist way of life. Within the confines of our home, the quest turns inward.
Personally, I have utilized the situation created by the pandemic to spend more time with my family. It has also catalyzed a spiritual journey. To help me on my spiritual journey, I look up to role models that don’t care about material pursuits. In a way, these role models called ‘the Fakirs’ are above pithy pursuits and truly engaged in the pursuit of salvation. They live the life of a hermit.
The Fakirs have always inspired me during my bad times. The Fakirs are ancient mendicants (from South Asia and the Middle East) who focus their entire life energy on attaining salvation. They rely on alms to feed them and…
