The unrecognized jewel

Mysticism is an approach to life that fascinates, captivates many a spiritually focused soul. Unneeded in religions where body, mind and spirit were never painfully extricated from one another, mysticism serves as a unifying agent where the material and divine have seemingly parted ways. Among many other avenues, it is found in the complexity and ordering principles of the Jewish Kabala, the reverent graciousness of Christian mystics, and the exuberant delight of Islam’s Sufi Whirling Dervishes.

The total oneness of all existence as divine has been sung and celebrated by awakened beings for eons. Over the centuries and throughout the world the pattern of awakening to this reality remains surprisingly similar. We start out in ignorance, mystics claim. We are blind to the shining jewel of divinity within us. We are immersed in ignorance and treat others and ourselves accordingly. But with time, sometimes gradually, sometimes dramatically, the veil is lifted and we are flooded with the light of this jewel of pure awareness.

There is an astonishing true story that parallels this mystical phenomenon of awakening. In Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace there is a large and vibrant diamond. It is polished to a shimmering radiance and is surrounded by a cluster of equally stunning gems. Without exception it captivates the viewer into wonder and amazement.

What sets this jewel apart from the other equally resplendent pieces is the story that goes with it. It seems that long ago this priceless stone was found by chance in a junk pile on a filthy, rubbish-filled street. It was unrecognized by the man who found it because of his ignorance of such things. To him it looked like a piece of pretty glass. Being a peddler, he was happy to exchange the nugget for three spoons. The man who got it sensed that it was special, but did not know how. He showed it to friends. And soon the entire neighborhood was talking about it, speculating as to what it might be, how much it could fetch.

By chance someone from the palace heard rumors about a strange stone, so went to inquire about it. He was knowledgeable about things of worth, so could immediately see that the intriguing item was much more than it seemed to ignorant eyes. He bartered for it and took it back to the palace. There he had it cleaned and polished. As soon as he saw the finished product, he realized he had a jewel of infinite worth. The sultan was immensely pleased, of course. And from then on for special occasions he wore it on the center of his forehead as an ornament for his turban. When not in use, he gave it a place of honor in the royal treasury, where it remains to this day.

Tourists by the thousands view this precious gem and marvel at its unusual tale. But very few realize the story is theirs. It is of their very own yet-to-be awakened souls, waiting to be discovered, polished, honored, and made fully awake and radiantly alive.