Three Stories from A New Earth: Don't Resist, Don't Judge, Don't Attach

This post is a translation of the original Arabic article.

I read in the book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle three principles for living consciously:

Don't resist. Don't judge. Don't attach.

Each principle has a story, and each story has a lesson.

The First Story: So Be It!

There was a righteous man known among the people for his piety and his knowledge. The man was awakened by screaming from his neighbors' home. He learned they had discovered their daughter was pregnant. Shortly after, the parents came and accused him of being responsible for their daughter's pregnancy. They hurled insults and abuse at him — how could he, the learned man who claimed dignity and honor, have done this? The righteous man replied calmly:

"So be it!"

The story spread among the people, and the righteous man's reputation was ruined. When the young woman gave birth, they brought the child and left him at the man's door, saying: "This is your son and you must raise him." The righteous man replied calmly:

"So be it!"

The man raised the child, teaching him the best of knowledge and character, and brought him up well. Then one day the young woman's parents came to his door weeping and apologizing. The young woman had finally confessed, years later, that she had become pregnant by a young man she had been seeing in secret. They said: "We know we were wrong and we apologize. We want the child back to make things right." The righteous man replied calmly:

"So be it!"

The Meaning: Don't Resist

The story says plainly: don't resist. The righteous man knew that resisting fate is pointless, and that what was meant to reach you could never have missed you. He knew that everything happens for a reason. When something happens to you, you have two choices: you either accept reality and deal with it, or you resist and rage for a moment and suffer. In either case you cannot change what has happened. You own your response after the event, but you cannot undo reality. And the simple prescription for a tranquil heart is: "Don't resist."

The Second Story: Maybe!

A man won a luxury car in a lottery. His family and friends came to congratulate him. They said: "You are so lucky." He replied with a smile:

"Maybe!"

One day, a drunk driver crashed into his new car and he ended up in the hospital. His family and friends came to console him. They said: "Your luck is terrible." Once again the man replied with a smile:

"Maybe!"

While the man was in the hospital, his house suffered a catastrophic collapse and was completely destroyed. His family and friends came, grateful he was safe. They said: "You are lucky you were in the hospital — otherwise you would have gone down with the house." The man replied again with a smile:

"Maybe!"

The Meaning: Don't Judge

The story tells us not to judge any event that happens to us as good or bad. The man in the story refuses to pass judgment on anything that happens to him. What you consider good may turn out to be harmful, and what you consider harmful may hold great good for you. But better yet, simply know that what happens to you is arranged by the All-Knowing, All-Aware — and learn, quite simply, "Don't judge." Just accept with complete peace of mind.

The Third Story: This Too Shall Pass!

It is told of a king who experienced days of joy and happiness and days of sorrow and hardship. His reactions varied wildly depending on whether times were good or bad. One day the king grew weary of himself and of his turbulent life. He summoned a wise scholar known for his wisdom and depth of knowledge.

The king said: "I want to be like you. Teach me how to restore balance, truth, and wisdom to my life. I will pay you whatever you ask, no matter the cost." The scholar said: "I can help you, but the price may cost you your kingdom and everything you own. However, I will help you for free as a gift — if you promise to guard what I give you." The king agreed and gave his word.

Weeks later, the scholar returned with a box. Inside was a simple golden ring engraved with the words "This too shall pass." The king asked: what does this gift mean and how should I use it? The scholar said: "Wear the ring always and never remove it. Whatever happens to you, and before you judge it as good or bad, touch the ring and read what is written on it. You will always be at peace within."

The Meaning: Don't Attach

The simple story reminds us that nothing in this life is permanent. If you know that nothing lasts, you will not attach yourself to anything or take anything personally. Wealth belongs to God, and your role is to steward what has been given to you. The situations that happen to you are not personal — they do not happen because you are you; they happen for other reasons. The more attached you are to things, the harder it becomes to lose them, and your responses become reactions rather than wise choices.