Who's In Control?

A satsang by Gautam Baiji

"One person had a beautiful house. It was the most beautiful house in town.

One day the owner travelled to another town. On his return, he saw that his house was on fire.

As we know, when a person builds a house, so many dreams are wrapped up in it, and there are so many personal belongings inside that we are attached to.

So the man started crying. "Oh my God! All the hard work I put into my house, and now it's burning down."

So many people in the town had gathered to watch it burn - there was nothing they could do.

His son approached him and said, "Dad, you don't need to cry. I already sold the house!"

"What?"

"Yes, I got an offer that was three times what it's worth, and I accepted it. I'm very sorry, I couldn't ask you because you were out of town."

"Oh yeah, you sold it?" He was suddenly a very happy man.

Now he turned to watch the house burn with the others, but this time he was a silent watcher, completely detached. Same fire; same house; same person. But now his feeling has changed.

His second son approached. "Dad, why are you smiling? Your house is burning and you're just watching?!"

"Don't worry, son, your brother already sold the house for three times its worth. We got a very good price."

"No, Dad! The buyer only gave us a small amount down! He didn't pay it fully. When he sees it's burned down, he won't pay us the balance!"

The man was suddenly sad again, and he continued crying. "My house is burning!" (Same fire, same house, same person, but the feeling changed.)

His third son approached. "Dad, don't cry. I just came from the buyer, and even though he knows the house is burning, he is a good man and agreed to honor the original price. He said no one knew the house would catch fire, so he will still pay you in full."

The man was suddenly happy again. Same house; same fire; same person; different feeling. No more tears.

This is the situation in our life. Whenever we say, "This is mine" we start thinking we are in control and set ourselves up for suffering.

My wife. My husband. My kids. My things.."

The ego wants to own and control. The soul only loves.