a parable about health

In issue 2311 of the Nondual Highlights, Mark Otter posted an excellent story about [the mythical?] Mulla Nasrudin (wikibooks entry). I don't know much about Nasrudin, but I gather that stories about him have been studied in the Sufi mystic tradition. What few tales I've read seem to come from a similar perspective as zen koans: that is to say, they hold the possibility of transmitting spiritual insights by means of contemplating them.

This medium-length entry (922 words) sounds like it could be the basis for a good short sci-fi story. As an aspiring fiction writer myself, this tale made me think of a fictional scenario in which the protagonist, who feels totally sane if not healthier than he ever has in his life, is surrounded by people who are convinced that he's crazy. Imagine the feeling of not being believed or trusted by anyone around you. And then think about whether or not it makes any difference if anyone believes anything. And then wonder if anyone has ever believed anything in the first place.

Mulla Nasaradin was once invited to speak on the subject of the Divine Qualities at a prestigious university in the Northeast. While he was lecturing on the subject of the Divine Light, he closed his eyes in deep contemplation looking for the words to express himself. Suddenly, he was overcome by Divine ecstasy. To his students he seemed to have lost him mind for he began ranting and raving as if insane. His students, who had arranged for him to speak, quickly took over the situation and concluded the lecture for him. After everyone had gone, they talked among themselves and decided to bring him to a nearby mental hospital for observation.

For several days he was incoherent, lost in the higher spheres of consciousness. His students took turns staying with him worried as they were about his condition. Every hour different medical personnel would come in to check his condition and speculate as to what name should be given to his mental disorder for insurance purposes. Eventually, Mulla Nasrudin regained normal consciousness and sat up in the hospital bed. "Where am I?" he demanded from the nurse who was there to take his blood pressure. The nurse, shocked by his seemingly miraculous recovery said, "You are in the hospital. Don't worry. I'll be right back."

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Hot Highlights today. In addition to a good story about a donkey, there was also this concise snippet from Papaji:

You are the One which is aware of the Awareness of objects and ideas.
You are the One which is even more silent than Awareness.
You are the life which precedes the concept of life.
Your nature is Silence and it is not attainable, it always Is.

- Papaji, posted to AlongTheWay

(x-posted to nonduality)