Jack of All Trades, Master of None

A story narrated by Swami Shriyukteshwar:

The ordinary human mind is crazy. Man wants to know many things and to practice many techniques. But one must ponder the saying:

One thing at a time and that done well is a very good thing as many can tell.

But many people are not satisfied with that. They go to different teachers and practice different techniques. As a result, their mind becomes more confused: which one is better, which one is not? A confused mind is far from the truth. Truth is revealed to a person whose mind is tranquil. Faithfulness to one's own Master and sincerity in the practice of the technique bring quick spiritual progress. To highlight this, the great Master Swami Shriyukteshwar used this parable:

Once upon a time lived a fox and a cat near a forest. Both were very close friends. They occasionally met each other and discussed their life and activities.
One day both were sitting together and were talking about the art of self-preservation. The fox asked the cat "My friend! How many techniques have you mastered to save yourself at the time of danger?"

The cat answered "My brother! I know only one technique—the art of climbing up a tree when I sense some approaching danger."

The fox said in a deprecating manner "Ah! You know only one technique. Really your life is miserable. You do not know any other technique beside climbing up a tree?"

The cat asked "My friend! How many techniques, really, do you know?"

The fox replied "It is a long story. Please wait. I will bring my note book, in which I have written down all the techniques that I learned from different teachers at different times, to save myself in different situations." The fox brought a big thick notebook and opened it with a lot of pride. It said "I can run when the problem comes." Opening another page, "I can hide myself in a bush." he continued, "I can enter into a hole and protect myself." Opening every page, the fox was narrating different techniques with vanity and pride.

While both were talking, a dog came running towards them from a little distance. The cat exclaimed "My brother! Be careful; a dog is coming!" Warned by the cat, our poor fox kept turning the pages of his notebook while thinking what would be the best technique to save his life. The cat called out "Brother! I do not know many techniques. I only know one technique, and that is to climb up the tree. The dog cannot come there."

The cat dashed up the tree. Despite his so-called intelligence, the foolish fox was not able to decide what to do. The dog was getting very near and the fox was in trouble, while the cat was saying "mew! mew!" from the tree top.

This story exemplifies human psychology. Man wants to learn many techniques, but is not satisfied with a particular process. This is the trick of the mind to deceive man.

Once you are in touch with a Divine Master, follow Him faithfully, with love. That technique will enable you to cross the problems of life and help you to be realized.
Referring to this situation, Shri Gurudev comments:

If a student goes each day to a different school, can he get education? Please follow
that technique which will give you simultaneous development of body, mind, intellect and soul. Please practice sincerely. Human life is very short. Why do you spend your valuable time, unnecessarily by going to many teachers, but learning nothing? Practice one technique, and be perfect.


*May 10, is the Holy Birthday of Swami Shriyukteswar Giri Mahasaya.