The Story
Remember the Discourse on Day 7?
The story of the two brothers with the diamond ring and the silver ring?
Well — you've earned this silver ring now that you're a Vipassana graduate.
I hope you wear it as a great badge of honor, but more importantly, as a constant reminder.
When I finished my first course in 2002, I was so inspired by that story that I designed an Anicca ring and had it custom made for me. To this day, I still wear it. Over the years, my pinky finger grew a little fatter—just the finger, I think, not my body! 🤣—so it lives on a chain around my neck now, right next to my heart.
That ring has been my anchor through it all. And that is exactly why I wanted to give one to each of you today.
I want you to have this constant reminder right there on your pinky. When you step back out into the world and face the inevitable ups, downs, and vicissitudes of life, just touch your ring, breathe, stay equanimous, and face it all with a smile.
“It is easy enough to smile when life flows along like a sweet song.
But a man worthwhile is a man who smiles when everything goes dead wrong.”
