Alexander was a great Greek King.
As a military commander, he was undefeated and the most successful throughout history. On his way home from conquering many countries, he came down with an illness. At that moment, his captured territories, powerful army, sharp swords, and wealth all had no meaning to him. He realised that death would soon arrive and he would be unable to return to his homeland. He told his officers: “I will soon leave this world. I have three final wishes. You must carry out my three final wishes.” His generals, in tears, agreed.
The Three Wishes:
One of his generals who was surprised by these unusual requests asked Alexander to explain. Here is what Alexander the Great had to say:
“I want the best doctors to carry my coffin to demonstrate that, in the face of death, even the best doctors in the world have no power to heal”
“I want the road to be covered with my treasure so that everybody sees that material wealth acquired on earth, stays on earth”
“I want my hands to swing in the wind, so that people understand that we come to this world empty handed and we leave this world empty handed after the most precious treasure of all is exhausted, and that is TIME”
TIME is our most precious treasure because it is LIMITED.
We can produce more wealth, but we cannot produce more time. When we give someone our time, we actually give a portion of our life that we will never take back. Our time is our life.
Which power do you truly seek? That which involves you with the snarling dogs of the world? Or the power of peaceful tranquillity which draws people to you?
Which love do you really wish for? The phantom love of wealth, riches, ego and its control of others? Or the infinite power of the heart?
Do you wish to succeed by competing against the lines drawn by others? Or do you wish to blaze forth in the creative expression of your own eternal genius?
Do you wish to conquer the world and gain only ashes? Or the enduring powers of self-conquest and of one who has served?
Do you wish to create and live in fear of the ghosts of past and future? Or to dwell in the city of clarity of the moment?
If you seek conquest, seek first the power of self-conquest. Then seek that power which is of service to others. Seek the power to benefit and comfort the many. For only such a power will be remembered. And even if you yourself do not gain from this power, be sure that generations of people to come will benefit from it, and you will be truly blessed.
Wish for, strive for, the true powers of tranquillity, love, inner genius, service, and clarity within each moment.
May you all have plenty of TIME.
Greg is the author of this piece and the creator and lead trainer of our 12-month Yoga Teacher Training, beginning later this year.
“Throughout the years I’ve been practicing yoga never have I come across a teacher like Greg. His powerful presence coupled with the way he guides and suggests, rather than push and judge until I get it right, has been refreshing. It has enabled me to go deeper into my practice, far beyond merely executing a sequence of postures. I feel Greg embodies the truth of his practice in a way that enables him to transmit deep wisdom and energy.”