Category Archives: Short Story

The Other Side

24 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by in Short Story, Spiritual Fiction

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

One day a young Buddhist on his journey home came to the banks of a wide river. Staring hopelessly at the great obstacle in front of him, he pondered for hours on just how to cross such a wide barrier.

Just as he was about to give up his pursuit to continue his journey he saw a great teacher on the other side of the river. The young Buddhist yells over to the teacher, “Oh wise one, can you tell me how to get to the other side of this river”?

The teacher ponders for a moment looks up and down the river and yells back, “My son, you are on the other side”.

Hurt First. Heal After

14 Tuesday Apr 2020

Posted by in Inner Strength, LifeLearnings, Short Story, Spiritual Fiction, Teachers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

“I can’t understand how on earth I am healing when I’m in so much pain” the student asked her Teacher.

Image of Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambava.

With a stern expression and a deep husky voice the white haired Teacher answered.

“First it hurts you then it heals you”

“What is it?” she clenched her hands as a wave of pain gripped her.

“Old karma, repressed beliefs, trauma, fears. Everything you’ve buried in you for centuries. Don’t hold on to the pain memory. Let it go.”

“But what if the next pain hurts even more”

“Don’t let the fear of future pain paralyse you. You’ve survived this. You’ll survive the rest”

Teacher dusted his desk meticulously while the student pondered.

Copyright Mita Bhan. All Rights Reserved.

“Who are You?”

02 Sunday Feb 2020

Posted by in Dad's Forward, Inspiration, Short Story

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning, artwork by Raja Ravi Varma

During one of his travels, Kalidasa felt very thirsty and looked around for water. He saw a woman drawing water from a well. He went up to her and asked her for water. She agreed to give him water, but asked him, “Who are you? Introduce yourself.”

Now Kalidasa thought that an ordinary village woman was not worthy of knowing who Kalidasa was. So he said, “I am a traveller.” But his lady replied, “In this world there are only 2 travellers – the Sun and the Moon. Both Rise and Set every day and keep travelling perpetually.”

Then Kalidasa said, “Alright then, I am a guest.” The lady promptly replied, “In this world there are only 2 guests – Youth and Wealth … both are temporary and hence can only be called as guests.”

Intrigued Kalidasa said, “I am a Tolerant person (sahansheel vyakti).” Now the lady replied, “In this world only 2 truly know the meaning of Tolerance – Bhoomi (Earth) and Tree. How much ever you stamp the earth or throw stones at the tree (for the fruits), both continue to nurture us.”

Now Kalidasa was completely perplexed. He said, “Fine. I am a stubborn person (hatavaadi).” The lady smiled and said, “There are only 2 truly stubborn personalities – our nails and our hair. We keep cutting them non-stop, but they continue to grow.”

Kalidasa had been patient so far, but now in anger he said, “I am a fool”. Now the lady gave a wide smile and said, “There are only 2 kinds of fools in this world – a King who rules without having any capability or knowledge & a Minister who is a sycophant to such a King and lavishes praises on such a useless king.”

Kalidasa realised that he had been outsmarted. He fell at the feet of the lady and when he touched her feet and then got up, whom did he see?
Mata Saraswati – the Goddess of Learning and Wisdom. She said, “Kalidasa, you are wise. But only if you know yourself do you become a Manushya (human being). A person without any awareness of self has not reached the pinnacle of being a Human.

Note: The Guru who recounted this story in His Pravachan said, “Children should become a Manushya & know themselves. More than teaching them how to earn more money and become rich, parents should teach them to become aware of themselves and become better Human beings .”

– Author Unknown –

“No less than the trees and the stars “

30 Monday Dec 2019

Posted by in Inner Strength, Inspiration, Short Story, Spiritual Fiction

≈ Leave a comment

Tonight she contemplated jumping off the 18th floor. She stood out on the foggy night and stared down the misty floors leading to nothingness.

A chill ran up her spine.

She remembered the image of the man on TV who stood on the ledge while someone stuck his head out of the window and talked. Something that man said made the suicidal man change his mind and walk towards the window.

How she wished she could be rescued tonight.

She walked indoors.

The man she loved was not ready for marriage and had blocked her on social media, her heart was now broken into an unrecognisable mess. Her mobile phone was her salvation. She scrolled mindlessly, seeking connection, a reason to live.

After many calls to many cold and bland souls, she heard a voice tell her “child you are no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here.“

The fog lifted. Someone cared. The tears of gratitude eased the pain, healing her.

Image from www2.palomar.edu

Mita Bhan.

Burn baby burn.

27 Thursday Jun 2019

Posted by in Mita Bhan Writings, Short Story, Spiritual Fiction

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,


Photography by Mark Ketlan

Outside Cajole was smiling and congratulating the new Partner in the law firm.

Inside she burned

The new partner was her junior. 2 years and 6 months to be exact. And this five foot nothing was so good at her game she gobbled up anyone else’s chances of rising up the ranks. Cajole dug her nails into her fists. Her french manicure blunted out the pain.

Seething with anger, her eyes became smouldering rocks.

A silent explosion took place.

In the middle of the office party celebrating the youngest and newest partner, no-one noticed the pile of ashes in the corner that were once Cajole. One person did say there was a bitter smell in the air.

“Only jealousy destroys the envious.”

Copyright Mita Bhan.All Rights reserved.



Are you in love with the King of Cups?

11 Saturday May 2019

Posted by in Mita Bhan Writings, Short Story, Spiritual Fiction, Tarot cards

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

King of Cups, Cat Deck, personal collection

As the sun went down she began to feel a little lost. The forest seemed denser, quieter with a deep underlying hum in the air. And the path was anything but smooth. She approached a small ditch surrounded by mossy rocks and algae – so very very slippery.

“Whoops”

“I got you”

A warm hand clasped her arm firmly. But it was too dark now to tell who it was. He felt safe. So safe she didn’t feel like rising from the pile of musty leaves, she was hoping he’d just pick her up.

And he did.

In his even warmer arms, he carried her across the forest in most delicious loving silence she could ever imagine. When they reached the road he put her down and she thanked him. They laughed a little and melted each other’s souls with their gazes. They knew they’d never feel this way with anyone else. And she knew she’d found her King.

One of the most loving men in the Tarot deck is the King of Cups, balanced, generous and with the gift of making a woman feel special and safe. If a King of Cups is significant in your life right now how about a Love Reading or Report to find out more about him and you. Get in touch with me at mita.bhan@gmail.com for details

Copyright Mita Bhan. All Rights Reserved

The Wounded Palate

10 Friday May 2019

Posted by in Mita Bhan Writings, Short Story, Spiritual Fiction

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

The most delicious desserts will never sweeten the one with the bitter breath.

He will always complain.

“Oh the presentation is bad.

Too many berries!

Lousy chocolate

“Ugh it tastes horrible”

He will spit on your table, scrape the chair backward

And head for the door.

Before you look at the mess he’s left behind, please walk him to the door and thank him for coming

and do ask him if you could sample

one of his desserts.

He will mumble something about not knowing how to cook, or

not having the time, or not finding the recipe. He may even look you

in the eye and tell you he can’t make desserts. And how his Father told him he couldn’t do a darn thing.

And that’s when you catch a glimpse of a young boy who was never praised, or approved, or accepted or encouraged. The harsh critiques he gives others freely and shamelessly are nothing compared to his self critiques. And the voices he heard as a child – he heard them so much he began to believe them, and eventually spew them on others.

For a second he looks at the door knob before stepping out and asks you how he can start making desserts.

You tell him to start by approving of himself.

Chances are he’ll slam the door on you grumbling to himself about incompetent cooks who waste his precious money.

Copyright Mita Bhan. All Rights Reserved.

“

What’s so Funny? – Buddhist Short Story

04 Saturday May 2019

Posted by in Inspiration, Short Story, Spiritual Fiction

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

Once a wise man held a seminar to teach people how to get rid of sorrows in their life. Many people gathered to hear the wise man’s words. The man entered the room and told a very funny joke to the crowd. The crowd roared in laughter.

After a couple of minutes he told them the same joke and only a few of them smiled.

When he told the same joke for the third time no one laughed anymore.

The wise man smiled and said,” You can’t laugh at the same joke over and over. So why do you cry over the same problem over and over?. Do something to change it. ”

Buddhist Story. Author Unknown

The Real You – A Short Story

26 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in Mita Bhan Writings, Short Story, Spiritual Fiction

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

 

Ranterella was in one of her moods again.

You’ll know what I mean when you hear her.

It begins with the bitter tone

And ends up in her shouting expletives.

Who left the door open?

Why did you go there?

What is wrong with people!

She stomped out with her headphones in the dark.

And  literally stumbled over a monk sitting on the grass.

“What are you doing here!!!” Ranterella screamed.

The monk smiled.

“Why are you blocking my way you stupid man. Get up!”

He listened to her intently, nodding away at her words.

Made Ranterella even more angry. She brought her face really close to his.

“Don’t you understand me?”

“Yes I do. Which is why I’m moving to the other end of the park.  Bye

angerquote.png

A little while later he heard footsteps and a softer voice ask him,

“What did you understand about me?”

The Monk knew the answer.

anger-is-emotion

She knew he understood.

And sat down next to him and  wept.

For everything she wanted from Life but did’nt get

For every single person who lied to her and betrayed her.

For the man who cheated her.

For the father who did not stand up for her.

For the Boss who played with her.

For the daughter who told her other people’s mommies don’t shout.

For the Knight in the Shining Armour who galloped away.

rescuequote

“I know I know all this Buddhist stuff. Everybody’s going on about self love. La la la. ” she mocked.

The monk got up, dusted his robes and went towards the Neroli bush.

See this flower. He pointed to tiny pointed luminous petals.

She rolled her eyes.  Maybe she should plug in the headphones. And walk away from this weird old man.

But her gaze fell on that flower.

And instead of petals, she saw her own reflection.

A tiny mirror stared back at her.

She was shocked.

“WTF!!!!”

The monk suppressed his laughter. People always look so comical when they’re shocked.

Her reflection showed a young teenaged girl lying on the grass with a book.

Except she wasn’t reading.

She was dreaming about her true love.

She blinked hard. And the flower just disappeared into the night.

“What kind of trick is that?”

The monk stifled a yawn. It had been a long day. “No trick, that’s the real you”

Mita Bhan

Originally published in penmancy.com

This spiritual story was originally published  by Penmancy.com https://penmancy.com/the-real-you/?fbclid=IwAR1_48Ay3pCyDidKA2zehR7CJNjcAHJIdFTVVmmlynP3gStVIWQxAEi5SWo

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you the Magician”

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Short Story, Spiritual Fiction, Tarot, TarotInsights

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

The Magician strode past the crowd and climbed up on  stage. He gestured with his Selenite wand to the crowd to ask him any question.

One  man raised his hand. From his expression you could see the bitterness of age had begun to creep in and settle on the lines of his face, the remnants of frustration that linger after you give up on your dream. He spoke.

“Everybody’s doing well but me. People I trained have surpassed me. Even my younger cousins with start ups are getting successful. Why am I left behind?”

The crowd edged forward eagerly to listen to the Magician respond.

Instead the magnetic man on stage simply laughed and twirled his selenite wand like a baton. Bits of light radiated from the crystal.

With great flourish, the Magician leaned forward as if to whisper a secret.

“So what are you doing about things then?”

The man mumbled “I don’t know. Nothing I guess. All I know is I’m not getting paid enough by my company.”

The Magician smiled to himself.

“If you don’t do anything but complain, you’re not going to get anything are you?”

The man’s faced began to crumple like a baby before a meltdown. The Magician’s tone softened.

“Decide on what you want. Decide why you should get. And then go to your bosses for a raise. You will get it “

The crowd cheered. The Magician swished his wand around flamboyantly in the air and the shimmering lights descended on the people.He twirled in his cape and disappeared. A song began to play on stage while the sparkle dust danced for the audience.

“You can do magic

You can have anything that you desire” – America 1982

Is he an illusionist or a trickster? A glib showman or a wise old wizard?  In whatever form we choose to see the Magician card in the Tarot he comes to remind us that we have to manifest our own destiny. 

Copyright Mita Bhan. All Rights Reserved.