Wisdom From An Old Mystic

Atop a secluded mountain lived an old mystic.

This mystic was a hermit as most tend to be, but knowledge of his whereabouts and the lives he's changed spread by word-of-mouth even to the other side of the world.

A young man who was a successful 6-figure corporate worker decided he needed to see this mystic. He heard the stories of how this old mystic offered life-changing wisdom to those who journey up the mountain. He resolved to find him on that mountain.

As he started his climb at the base of the mountain he thought to himself, “When I reach the top and meet this mystic I will finally get what I've been searching for.”

After 2 sleepless nights on the cold mountain he finally made it to the top and saw the mystic, an unassuming man dressed in earth-colored robes smoking a pipe and drinking tea.

The mystic smiled at him and nodded silently.

The young man threw his heavy camping backpack down on the ground and said, “Oh great mystic. I've finally arrived. Please tell me the life-changing wisdom you've offered to others who came before me.”

The old mystic simply said to him, “I know nothing!” and laughed in his face.

The young man's cheeks flushed red and he shouted, “don't f*ck with me! I didn't waste all this time and effort to receive nothing!”

Still amused the mystic responded, “I understand your disappointment. How about I put you in contact with a friend of mine who climbed this mountain. He's a billionaire and he'll be happy to offer you 1 million dollars for your trouble.”

The young man found that somewhat tempting, but felt an ache in his chest still. He responded, “that may be nice but it wasn't what I was ultimately looking for. I wanted something deeper and more profound.”

Calmly, the old mystic looked at the young man with eyes so clear they pierced straight into his soul.

“You came all this way to seek wisdom from me. Yet now that you're here at the top of the mountain you're upset because you haven't received what you thought was the key to your happiness. You are no more content at the top of this mountain than you were at the start of your climb. What could I or anyone possibly teach you if you aren't at peace within yourself?”

The young man went silent, stumped by his reply. Then slowly he responded, “I don't know… I wanted something more.”

The mystic then picked up a stone from the ground and tossed it at the young man's feet. “There you go! There's more!” and bellowed with laughter.

The young man picked it up and said, “it's heavy.”

“Not as heavy as the heart of a man who looks everywhere but inside of himself for his happiness.” replied the mystic.