The Monastery by the River Piedra is surrounded by beautiful vegetation, a true oasis in the sterile fields of that part of Spain.

        There, the small river turns into a full current and divides into dozens of waterfalls.

        Whoever walks by that place listens to the music of the water and finds, all of a sudden, a cave behind one of the waterfalls.

        Carefully watching the weathered stones, the shapes nature patiently creates, one can see the following verses by Rabindranath Tagore written on a plaque:

        It was not the hammer which left perfect these rocks, but the water, with its sweetness, its dance and its song.

        Where roughness can only destroy, gentleness can sculpt.

*   *   *

        The poet’s lesson is extremely profound.

        Only with gentleness, patience and calm we can sculpt our core, accomplishing the renovation of our souls with the goal of finding happiness.

        Only with gentleness, patience and calm we can sculpt our world, achieving its modification for the best.

        The destroying hammer is in the cruel criticism, the rude words that leave our mouths and hurt the self-esteem of the people around us, while the water sweetness is in the constructive advices, the attention and patience with which we listen to someone, the motivating words and the cheering compliment.

        The destroying hammer is in the buildup of guilt in our hearts, in our own overdeveloped standards, in the lack of love for ourselves.

        The water sweetness is in the comprehension of our own imperfections, in the self-pardon, in the constant disposition to correct our mistakes.

        Everyday, in the analysis of our behavior and our actions, let us always remember the water gentleness molding the rocks through time.

        Let us look for patience and tranquility, knowing these are dynamic virtues which make us peaceful beings.

        May the Indian poet’s words be our guide and inspiration:

        It was not the hammer which left perfect these rocks, but the water, with its sweetness, its dance and its song.

        Where roughness can only destroy, gentleness can sculpt.

*   *   *

        Gentleness and tenderness are the expressions of love in little things, in the apparently simple gestures but which reveal our concern with others.

 Spiritist Moment Team, based on Yomaktub.
July, 28 2008.