Featured Article

Burning Coal

By Raúl M. Carús

When a piece of charcoal burns, what is around it will also ignite, but only if it has the right composition. If what surrounds a glowing coal is made of wood, paper or phosphorus, it will certainly catch the flames. On the contrary, if it is made of stone, metal or sand, it will remain unburnt. But no matter whether it burns or not, the charcoal will continue glowing.

Don’t worry about what’s going on around you. Burn. Keep the flame of Love alive in you. For, although the people you meet will burn only if they are ready for it, it will be much easier for them to do so if they have a burning coal nearby.

However, do not ask them to do the same. Don’t force them to burn. Doing so would be exhausting and counterproductive. Anyone who tries to light a piece of stone wastes time and burns his fingers. Offer them your warmth without forcing them to accept it. Whether they catch fire or not depends solely on them. Take care only to be on fire, with simplicity and without arrogance.

Do not try to set anyone on fire but yourself.

You may think that rejection, anger, rigidity or violence make you strong and that understanding, closeness, tenderness or affection weaken you. But it is exactly the opposite: nothing makes you stronger than Love.

So, what can I do if I am surrounded by unconsciousness? Burn. What if my father acts irresponsibly? Burn. What if my life turns to be extremely difficult? Burn. What if I have been robbed? Burn. And if I am slandered? Burn. What if I am stalked by death? Burn. What if madness assaults me? Burn. And if everything collapses? Burn.

The best present you can give the world is your own awakening.

So keep your coal burning and don’t worry about anything else.

The way to light the way is to shine a light and hold it high for whoever wants to follow.

Should you agree with all this, do the following today: if you perceive hostility, return affection; if you notice aggression, return kindness; if you think you are being attacked, respond with appreciation; if you see darkness, shed light. Then observe the results both in yourself and in those around you, and find out which makes you stronger, Love or its opposite.