In ancient India there lived a most virtuous Brahmin who was considered by all to be the best authority on philosophy. One day the local king ordered him to appear before him. When he did so, the king said:
“I have two questions that puzzle me. Where is God? And why don’t I see Him? I have learnt that you had been teaching God all your life. Now just prove it; otherwise, I will have your head cut off.”
The Brahmin did not know the answers; his execution date was set. On the morning of that day in which he was to be executed, the Brahmin’s young son appeared in the palace and he asked the king if he would release his father provided he answers the questions. The king agreed, and the son asked that a container of milk be brought to him. It was done. Then the guy asked that the milk be churned into butter. That too was done.
“The first two of your questions are now answered,” he told the king.
The king objected that he had been given no answers, so the son asked:
“Where was the butter before it was churned?”
“In the milk,” replied the king.
“In what part of the milk?” asked the boy.
“In all of it.”
“Just so,” agreed the boy “and in the same way God is within all things and pervades all things.”
“Why don’t I see Him, then,” pressed the king.
“Because you do not ‘churn’ your mind and refine your perceptions through meditation. If you do that, you will see God; but never otherwise. Now let my father go.”
The Brahmin was released and his son was given many honours and gifts by the king.
