On The Other Side
A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was leaving the room after paying a visit, and said, Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side. Very quietly the doctor said, I don't know. You don't know? the man said.
You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?
The doctor was holding the handle of the door, on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining. As he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.
I know little of what is on the other side of death, the doctor continued, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but with gladness.
The author of this spiritual story is unknown and greatly appreciated. If you know who wrote this, or can provide a source that I can cite then please contact me and let me know!
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What Is the Spiritual Moral / Message of the “On the Other Side” Story?
Within the realms of this story lies a spiritual revelation, a parable that transcends the boundaries of mortality, offering a glimpse into the profound mystery that lies beyond the threshold of life. It speaks not merely of mortality but delves into the eternal, inviting us to contemplate the essence of existence itself.
At its heart, this tale whispers a profound truth about the enigma of death and the unknown beyond. It sheds light on the human yearning to fathom the unfathomable, to grasp what lies veiled by the curtain of mortality. In our quest for certainty, we seek answers about the afterlife, craving assurances about the unknown.
Through the doctor's simple yet profound analogy with his dog, we are urged to examine the nature of faith and trust in the face of the unknown. The doctor, faced with the question about the afterlife, wisely responds with honesty, admitting his own lack of comprehensive knowledge about what lies beyond death's threshold. Yet, in the midst of uncertainty, he shares a poignant revelation – a steadfast trust in his Master's presence on the other side.
The dog's unwavering display of trust and boundless joy upon seeing his master serves as an allegory for the human journey towards the unknown realms beyond mortality. The doctor draws parallels between the dog's unshakeable faith in its master's presence and his own unwavering trust in the divine presence awaiting him beyond death.
The spiritual significance embedded within this story is not about certainties or definitive knowledge of the afterlife; instead, it beckons us to embrace the essence of faith, trust, and surrender. It encourages us to contemplate the purity of trust exhibited by the dog – a trust unmarred by intellectual inquiries or rationalizations but rooted in unwavering devotion.
The doctor's acknowledgment of his limited knowledge about the afterlife serves as an invitation for us to transcend the limitations of human understanding and embrace faith beyond comprehension. It's an invitation to trust in the divine, to hold steadfastly onto the belief that our journey beyond this life is guided and embraced by a greater presence, akin to the dog's unequivocal trust in its master's love and presence.
Ultimately, this story calls upon us to relinquish our fears of the unknown, to abandon the quest for certainty, and instead, to surrender to the divine unfolding of our existence. It beckons us to journey forward with an unwavering trust in the presence of our spiritual Master, knowing that when the door of mortality opens, we shall traverse through with joy and faith, guided by the certainty of our eternal connection with the Divine.