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not. Neglecting the light of the soul that burns within it, how long will it grope in the darkness of the world without-chasing shadows that ever elude him?
In this matter of how possession leads to pain, let me cite here how a Muni was given a practical lesson by a number of stray dogs. The Muni, engrossed in his philosophical thoughts of acquisition and renunciation, was passing through a street. He was suddenly disturbed by the savage barking of dogs.
He saw that a dozen dogs were chasing one dog who was running away with a bone in his mouth. Soon they caught up with him and mauled him. Bleeding from the wounds, the dog dropped the bone and left in peace. No sooner had he dropped the bone than another picked it up, and he too met with the same fate. So the chase for the bone and the consequent punishment went on.
Reflecting on this ugly incident, the Muni realised the truth. So long as the dog clung to the bone, he had to bleed for it; the moment he gave it up, he was left in peace.
"Does not man bleed mentally and spiritually to gratify his lust for acquisition and would he not attain serenity if he renounced it?" thought the Muni.
It is only human to desire, but the noblest desire for man should be to attain a state of "Desirelessness" when he can accept things as they come to him, and can look on indifferently when they leave him.
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