An Indian Legend

The following legend was passed onto to us by a participant in our current Certificate in Nonviolence Studies Course. She had heard it from a motivational speaker, who had heard it from one of his Indian friends. That’s how legends work—they get passed on. And now we’d like to share this inspiring story with you. Enjoy!

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There was once a time when all human beings were Gods, but they so abused their divinity that Brahma, the chief God, decided to take it away from them and hide it.

But where will I hide it? Brahma thought.

So he called a council of the Gods to help him decide.

“Let’s bury it deep in the earth,” said the Gods.

But Brahma answered, “No, that will not do because humans will dig into the earth and find it.”

Then the Gods said, “Let’s sink it in the deepest ocean.”

But Brahma said, “No, not there, for they will learn to dive into the ocean and will find it.”

Then the Gods said, “Let’s take it to the top of the highest mountain and hide it there.”

But once again Brahma replied, “No, that will not do either, because they will eventually climb every mountain.”

Then the Gods gave up and said, “We do not know where to hide it, because it seems that t here is no place in existence that humans will not eventually reach.”

Brahma thought for a long time and then said, “Here is what we will do. We will hide their divinity deep in the center of their own being, for humans will never think to look for it there.”

All the Gods agreed that this was the perfect hiding place, and the deed was done. And since that time humans have been going up and down the earth, digging, diving, climbing, and exploring…

…searching for something already within themselves.