The Story of the Man, the Vine, and the Strawberry

A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled for his life with the tiger running after him. Coming to the edge of a cliff, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting for him to fall so he could eat him. Only the vine sustained him.

Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other and ate the strawberry saying mmmm how sweet it tasted!

What Is the Parable Really About?

So… what’s the story about? It’s an everyday dilemma: Is it about the guy simply enjoying the present moment by eating the strawberry?

Or is it about the distraction of a strawberry—something nice that captures his attention even though his very life is threatened?

The Truth and Spiritual Perspective

For people who practice Sahaja Yoga Meditation, we would say this is pleasure-seeking for the body—wantings, cravings, and desires for the things the body likes, material things, and objects that give us comfort. For the sake of temporary pleasure, the man in the story is ignoring his fate and the true meaning of his life: to survive. He is lost in all the distractions life has to offer, seeking only the things that give physical pleasure while neglecting his well-being.

Look at all the distractions in our lives—partnerships, relationships, houses, food, cars, and other material needs which give physical comfort. It’s not that we don’t need them to fulfill a role or use in society, but what we don’t want to do is get lost in those things and neglect our spiritual needs. There is physical comfort, and then there is the comfort of our Spirit.

It’s a bit like the Western example of the ostrich with his head buried in the sand: he is ignorant of the lion chasing him, but being ignorant is not going to save him. Being ignorant of our spiritual needs is not going to save us either—it will only add to our suffering.