The Land of Truth – A Spiritual Story by Idries Shah

A certain man believed that the ordinary waking life, as people know it, could not possibly be complete. He sought the real Teacher of the Age. He read many books and joined many circles, and he heard the words and witnessed the deeds of one master after another. He carried out the commands and spiritual exercises which seemed to him to be most attractive.

He became elated with some of his experiences. At other times he was confused; and he had no idea at all of what his stage was, or where and when his search might end.

This man was reviewing his behavior one day when he suddenly found himself near the house of a certain sage of high repute. In the garden of that house, he encountered Khidr, the secret guide who shows the way to truth.

Khidr took hihm to a place where he saw people in great distress and woe, and he asked who they were. “We are those who did not follow real teachings, who were not true to our undertakings, who revered self-appointed teachers,” they said.

Then the man was taken by Khidr to a place where everyone was attractive and full of joy. He asked who they were. “We are those who did not follow the real Signs of the Way,” they said.

“But if you have ignored the Signs, how can you be happy?” asked the traveler.

“Because we chose happiness instead of Truth,” said the people, “just as those who chose the self-appointed chose also misery.”

“But is happiness not the ideal of man?” asked the man.

“The goal of man is Truth. Truth is more than happiness. The man who has Truth can have whatever mood he wishes, or none,” they told him. “We have pretended that Truth is happiness, and happiness Truth, and people have believed us, therefore you, too, have until now imagined that happiness must be the same as Truth. But happiness makes you its prisoner, as does woe.”

Then the man found himself back in the garden with Khidr beside him.

“I will grant you one desire,” said Khidr.

“I wish to know why I have failed in my search and how I can succeed in it,” said the man. “You have all but wasted your life,” said Khidr, “because you have been a liar. Your lie has been in seeking personal gratification when you could have been seeking Truth.”

“And yet I came to the point where I found you,” said the man, ” and that is something which happens to hardly anyone at all.”

“And you met me,” said Khidr, “because you had sufficient sincerity to desire Truth for its own sake, just for an instant. It was that sincerity, in that single instant, which made me answer your call.”

Now the man felt an overwhelming desire to find Truth, even if he lost himself.

Khidr, however, was starting to walk away, and the man began to run after him.

“You may not follow me,” said Khidr, “because I am returning to the ordinary world, the world of lies, for that is where I have to be, if I am to do my work.”

And when the man looked around him again, he realized that he was no longer n the garden of the sage, but standing in the Land of Truth.

This Sufi spiritual story is from Thinkers of the East by Idries Shah. His book is a delightful collection of short spiritual stories.

What Is the Spiritual Message / Moral of “The Land of Truth” Parable?

The Land of Truth is a spiritual odyssey unveiling the delicate dance between seeking personal gratification and the profound quest for genuine enlightenment.

The protagonist, in his relentless pursuit of the authentic Teacher of the Age, traverses through circles, reads volumes, and endeavors in spiritual practices, seeking solace and wisdom. Yet, amidst the myriad experiences and encounters, confusion shrouds his understanding, leaving him adrift without a compass in the vast expanse of his journey.

In a fortuitous moment, he encounters Khidr, the mystical guide, who leads him through realms of despair and elation. Witnessing the distress of those who strayed from genuine teachings and the bliss of those who disregarded true signs, the seeker is confronted with a profound realization – the distinction between happiness and Truth.

This delineation, a crucial revelation, echoes the depths of spiritual understanding. Happiness, although cherished, is not synonymous with Truth. It's the illusion that veils the genuine pursuit, binding individuals in its fleeting embrace, akin to the chains of misery.

The exchange between the seeker and the enlightened beings in the Land of Truth transcends the veil of illusion, emphasizing that Truth, surpassing mere happiness, embodies the ultimate goal of existence. Truth liberates, allowing one to transcend the confines of emotional dictation, embracing the entirety of human experience without being confined to any particular mood or circumstance.

The seeker's earnest desire to comprehend his failures and illuminate his path reflects the pivotal moment of awakening. Khidr's revelation, piercing through the layers of illusion, unveils the seeker's lie – the pursuit of personal gratification overshadowing the quest for Truth.

Yet, amidst the revelation of this profound truth, Khidr's departure beckons a poignant realization. The guide must return to the world of lies to fulfill his purpose, emphasizing the inevitable coexistence of truth and illusion in the fabric of existence. The seeker, standing in the Land of Truth, recognizes the gravity of the pursuit, willing to surrender himself in the pursuit of Truth, even if it means losing his own self.

This parable echoes the fundamental truth that genuine sincerity, the yearning for Truth for its own sake, even in a fleeting moment, draws forth the response from the divine. It highlights the fleeting nature of enlightenment and the challenges of its pursuit within a world ensnared in illusions.

Ultimately, the tale underscores the transformative power of genuine sincerity, the distinction between happiness and Truth, and the eternal dance between the realms of illusion and enlightenment in the journey of the soul.