Unveiling Assumptions: A Sufi Story of Understanding

Shams, the chief painter, was tasked with painting the walls of a grand concert hall in town. He had a team of employees working under him. However, when the mayor and the owner of the hall checked in on the progress a week later, they were taken aback.

"Shams," the mayor exclaimed. "You don't look like you're putting in any effort. Your employees have paint all over their clothes, but you're clean as a whistle."

The owner chimed in, "Are you just making these workers do all the hard labor while you sit back and relax?"

Shams was taken aback, his clean beard and spotless work suit speaking volumes. 

He stammered, "My apologies, sirs. I was instructed to paint the walls of the concert hall, not my clothing.”

The comical story of Shams is one that was told to me by my father. A story, once shared, brought instant laughter to my heart and soul.

Years later and where I stand today, almost as magic, this story has worked its wonders on transforming itself as a golden reminder on the crux of assumptions and how they play out within our lives.

You see, on the facade and on one hand, the moral of the tale of Shams may be to always clarify instructions and expectations to avoid misunderstandings or miscommunications. 

In this case, Shams may have benefited from explicitly confirming that he was not expected to get paint on his clothing or look disheveled in any way, as it led to the false impression that he was not working as hard as his employees.

In our day and age, here in the West, this time known to some as “hustle culture”, the vernacular has evolved to move from enjoying the day to the daily grind for many.

The hardship that is stressed in the use of this language, for me, comes out as instantly ridged, rough around the edges, and almost as far from enjoyment as we are from the Moon; in the distance it radiates it’s beauty and possibility but alas, it is too far to physically experience it. 

But there's more to this story than meets the eye.

The deeper spiritual message, on the other hand, may be that True Work goes beyond just the physical laborious act. It's about the state of mind, the intention, and the inner satisfaction.

Shams, with his clean beard and spotless suit, was a symbol of a man who had transcended the typical notion of work. 

He understood that True Work is not about the external appearance, but about the internal fulfillment that comes from doing something with purpose and joy, threaded along with presence through it all.

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the rat race and measure success solely by external factors like wealth, power, and status or looks and appearances; if I wear a suit everyday then it’ll thrust me to work harder or this designer bag will give me status to propel me to even greater riches, isn’t that the truth of this reality?

However, just like Shams, we must remember that true success lay within our Hearts.

When we Work with intention, joy, and purpose, we become like Shams, a symbol of peace and fulfillment in a world that often prioritizes external validation. 

If we can reduce our assumptions and personal biases, albeit even become more aware, what arises as heightened beauty or even strange occurrences within our Hearts perception becomes normal.

Normal then finds its way to bloom into the ordinary which appears truly magical.

Then naturally, magical opens up to become the everyday.

If the impulsive individual is their own adversary and assumptions are self-created barriers blocking the doors to experiencing the unity of others, then the manifestation of these tendencies can prevent growth and hinder understanding. 

It is like slamming the door shut on our own journey towards enlightenment…when a door never even existed in the first place.

May we all walk this path with no assumptions or exceptions but carry the essence of who we are veiled with Love as we connect with each other.