The Shortcoming of Heedlessness

There was once a man who, like most of us, knew in his heart and mind the way to Heaven. He knew he should love his neighbor as himself, honor his parents, and deal with all others honestly. He knew to help the needy and defend the innocent. He knew humility and patience and self-restraint were the way of the wise.

And this man surely tried to do all these things–but only once in a while. He would help a friend if he happened to remember the friend was in need, or say a prayer of thanksgiving if convenient, or give money to the poor if stricken with a guilty conscience. But most of the time he was too busy with his own affairs.

The habits he practiced impressed themselves upon his soul. He developed the shortcoming of heedlessness. Opportunities for exemplary behavior came and went; occasionally he seized them, but usually he did not even notice the chance to do good.

Then one day he died. As he climbed the path toward Paradise, he looked back at his life. He recalled the times he had loved and aided his fellow creatures and he judged them sufficient. When he reached the towering gates of heaven, though, he was surprised and shocked to discover they were shut tight and locked.

Suddenly a loud voice came from nowhere.

“Watch carefully,” it warned. “These gates open only once every ten thousand years.”

He stood wide-eyed and trembling in expectation. He resolved to stay alert. But, unaccustomed to practicing the virtue of mindfulness, he soon found his attention drifting away. After watching for what seemed an eternity, his shoulders slumped and his head began to nod. His eyelids fluttered, sank, and closed for a second in sleep.

At that instant the mighty gates swung open, but before he could open his eyes, it crashed shut again with a thunder that tumbled the heedless man from Paradise.