Nasrudin Tales of antiquity
WHAT ARE NASRUDIN TALES?
I had the pleasure of discovering Nasrudin tales 10 years ago and once I got past the initial chuckle I sensed that these tales contained more than just humor. They seemed to contain a thread to some deep Wisdom. It is told that each story contains 7 levels of meaning and that these different levels will be differently understood depending on ones current stage in life. But it also struck me that Nasrudin had something to say about science and the organic chemisry lab experience. Could this simply be my imagination? In any event the stories are listed below and they are for you to interpret.
These tales come from 3 book complied by Idries Shah. The titles are 'The exploits of the incomparable Mulla Nasrudin", "The subtleties of the Inimitable Mulla Nasrudin" and "The Pleasantries of the incredicble Mulla Nasrudin".
Nasrudin decided that he could benefit by learning something new. He went to see a master musician.
“How much do you charge to teach lute playing?”
‘Three silver pieces for the first month; after that, one silver piece a month'
‘Excellent!' said Nasrudin, “I shall begin with the second month
Possible Interpretation:
This may pertain to the importance of having a firm foundation. For most endeavors it is important to get the basics down correctly. Here Nasrudin plays the fool because we inherently know that you simply can't skip over the basics. If you don't learn properly the basic skills of any sport it will eventually impede your progress—you must learn to walk before you can run. As with chem 251 and chem 252. If the basics of chem 251 are not established firmly in your noggin, it will be very hard to excel in chem 252. Hence, the most valuable lessons come early and the effort and price exacted for them should be high.
What is real evidence? (As told on 1/13/09)
A neighbor called on Nasrudin.
"Nasrudin, I want to borrow your donkey”
I am sorry ‘said Nasrudin, ‘but I have already lent it out.'
As soon as he had spoken, the donkey brayed. The sound came from Nasrudin's stable.
‘But, I can hear the donkey in there!”
As he shut the door in the mans' face, Nasrudin said, with dignity: ‘A man who believes the word of a donkey in preference to my word does not deserve to be lent anything.”
Possible Interpretation:
This story may reflect on our tendency to believe unquestionably our perceived authority figures despite our own direct insights, observations and common sense. A common ‘authority figure' is that of the printed word. In science we have many documented facts & scrolls of scientific data. Generally, If we see something written down we figure that it certainly must be true lest ‘how could it get published?' Yet as a scientist there have been many times where my chemical experience differed from that of the literature. The text book you use does have mistakes in it and, even though in many instances it is reliable in its general content what they are writign about may not necessarily pertain to your unique chemical situation.
It might also be good to remember that all theories we have now will someday be replaced by yet another more powerful/insightful theory that more accurately depicts reality.
The Philosopher (as told on 1/20/09)
A Philosopher having made an appointment to dispute with Nasrudin, called and found him away from home. Infuriated, he picked up a piece of chalk and wrote “Stupid Oaf” on Nasrudin's gate.
As soon as he got home and saw this the Mulla rushed to the philosophers' house.
“I had for gotten', he said, “that you were to call and I apologize for not having been at home. Of course, I remembered the appointment as soon as I saw that you had left your name on my door”
Possible Interpretation:
This probably referes to the human psychological tendency to project one's own feelings/fears/insecurities onto another. Nasrudin is wise in this instance realizing that it is not he that is a ‘stupid oaf ‘ but that the insecure philosopher feels like one (deep down anyway). Unable to deal with these feeling directly, the philosopher haphazardly projects them onto any target that gives him even the slightest provocation to do so. Nasrudin know this and doesn't take criticism personally. Hence, if anyone implies or makes you feel that you're stupid you are probably picking on that person's projection of himself or herself. Secure, mature, wise people will not make you feel bad about yourself.
It would also be wise to note as to which people you feels ill will towards—are you possibly projecting onto them? And conversely, when reflecting about those who you admire and feel inspired by you wouldn't be drawn to them unless you already contained those qualities in yourself (if you admire someone who you deem intelligent or courageous it means that part of you that is intelligent and courageous recognizes that in ‘them'.