West is West, and East is East

               
                West is West, and East is East

                by Alexandr Piatkov


On a train, a rubicund, full-figured traveler was expertly tackling a meat

cutlet and bread—operating on the logic that the meat must go first before

it spoils. She then cleared a poppy seed pastry and crowned the feast with

tea and spiced gingerbread. A moment later, with equal expertise, she

 produced a digestive enzyme pill, washed it down, and shortly after took

her blood pressure medication. Every movement radiated total faith in the

infallibility of her lifestyle.


At that very moment, directly above this pragmatic woman, a yogi sat in

 the lotus position on the top berth. He took a few sips of juice before
 
immersing himself in meditation. He remained frozen, eyes shut, for several

hours, eventually drifting off to sleep. The next morning, the yogi out-slept

everyone, but still found time to enjoy an orange before getting off. He

looked impeccable—a stark contrast to our voracious companion.


The lady was on her way to Germany to visit her daughter, who had

married a local. She was a devotee of Western values and the consumer

lifestyle. She was fully prepared to back up every meal with a matching pill

if that’s how they did it in the West. She was eager to buy new things and
 
ruthlessly discard perfectly good but tiresome belongings before the New

Year. After a lifetime of factory grind, she had finally made it to the grand

feast of consumption.


Her motives are understandable. But look at it this way: someone who

 wants to drive a car goes to driving school. Yet someone who wishes to

guide an equally complex and costly creation of God—their own cherished

self—never takes lessons in consumption, relying purely on instinct. They

seek role models, yet for some reason, they shun the yogi, who is highly

accomplished in his craft, choosing instead individuals with a much more

accessible lifestyle.


Thus, they ride the same train: a brisk, radiant yogi and a mammoth of a

woman—ambitious, consumer-driven, and utterly convinced of her ways.

But are they bound for the same destination? Scarcely. As the classic line

goes: "West is West, and East is East, and never the twain shall meet."




© Copyright: Александр Пятков, 2013

Свидетельство о публикации №213042901351