There is an old and beautiful story of two lovers and their joy being visited by strangers.
According to ancient Roman mythology and Ovid's Metamorphoses, Philemon and Baucis had lived out their long lives nobly, but in poverty. Jupiter, the Roman king of the gods, had heard of the virtuous couple, but based on all his previous experiences with humans, he had serious doubts as to their goodness. Jupiter was about to destroy mankind, but was willing to give it one final chance before starting over again. So, in the company of his son Mercury, the wing-footed messenger god, Jupiter went about, disguised as a worn and weary traveler, from house to house among the neighbors of Philemon and Baucis. As Jupiter feared and expected, the neighbors turned him and Mercury away rudely. Then the two gods went to the last house, the cottage of Philemon and Baucis, where the couple had lived all their long married lives.
Philemon and Baucis were pleased to have visitors, and insisted that their guests rest before their little hearth fire. They even lugged in more of their precious firewood to make a greater blaze. Unasked, Philemon and Baucis then served their presumably starving guests, fresh fruits, olives, eggs, and wine.
Soon the old couple noticed that no matter how often they poured from it, the wine pitcher was never empty. They began to suspect that their guests might be more than mere mortals. Just in case, Philemon and Baucis decided to provide the closest they could come to a meal that was fit for a god. They would slaughter their only goose in their guests' honor. Unfortunately, the legs of the goose were faster then those of Philemon or Baucis. Even though the humans were not as fast, they were smarter, and so they cornered the goose inside the cottage, where they were just about to catch it.... At the last moment, the goose sought the shelter of the divine guests. To save the life of the goose, Jupiter and Mercury revealed themselves and immediately expressed their pleasure in meeting an honorable human pair. The gods took the pair to a mountain from which they could see the punishment their neighbors had suffered -- a devastating flood.
Asked what divine favor they wanted, the couple said that they wished to become temple priests and die together. Their wish was granted and when they died they were turned into intertwining trees.
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/myths/a/philemonbaucis.htm
The two lovers lived an unspectacular life. Nothing special and extravagant, just living like lovers do. Their doors were open to strangers, for they had hearts that were open.
I experienced the very same many years back when my grantparents still were alive. I used to hitchhike a lot, and each time it appeared normal to me that a car would stop for me to jump in.
Over the years I am unable to remember how many people I bought to the house of my grantparents. Grandma used to cook all the time we arrived at the house. And we were sitting around the big table and the strangers became friends. When time came they had to leave my grandpa was offering a prayer for a good journey and spoke a blessing.
Just simple as that. I have often thought about spiritual circles including churches being melting pots of many psychopaths. The reason is simple.
There are ususally many of those good and innocent folks - just like Baucis and Phelemon. They have no idea of deceiving anyone. They serve meals and a table to sit and talk. Many of such older women are gransmas to countless people. In their wrinkled faces appears the beauty of happy humans.
And the grandpas do often smile when they are allowed to talk on former times and experiences. They love their kids having a family mind.
Such a flock of innocent and lovely humans has no idea of letting anyone starve or jump off the cliff. They care about everybody. Once in a while this is considered stupid and ridicules, and some may move away because they hate it. They call it "narrow minded" and move to big cities. But the people in smaller communities are much healthier than those in big cities. Their mental set is much more in balance.
Psychopathic individuals love to intrude innocent folks because here they find good ground to play their ugly games. Modern society has brought forth incredible psychopaths. Worst part of all, they are all linked to spiritual matters.
Some are more or less open occultists using occultist rituals and thoughts. Others know the desires of human minds very well and force people to jump into lies and deception.
They love humans believing in them. They make humand dependent on their teachings. They teach not simply love, patience, compassion and empathy, but special rules and knowledge they say "is necessary to be enlightened".
Obviously they avoid encouraging people to think for themselves and to trust in their own feeling. And by doing so they change the perception of the poor people.
A real teacher will never lead people into dependency. He will support self awareness and encourage to look always from diffrerent perspectives. He has no set of rules to follow, but will teach to listen instead to speak. He loves people, and love does not simply teach people but takes them as they are; and if it not works, than they separate and go their own ways.
There is a Koan which goes, if you meet Buddha on your way, kill him. Rough, isn`t it? Not really, the deep meaning is not following anybody prior to yourself.
The Baucis-and-Philemon-people are still about to suffer from psychopathic sweethearts who can not stop filling their own dark hole in the heart - they can not stand happy people. How can they be happy without me, they ask pulling them into trifle.
The truth is the opposite - ridicules is the betrayer, the deceiver, the sweetheart without love and compassion and sobriety.
I wish a nice day and a deep joy of thinking!
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