I think it's more the upbringing of the eagle as a chicken, telling him he's a chicken (power of mind) that let him think he's a chicken instead of a mighty eagle. In other words: it's between your ears? You'll believe something when you don't know it otherwise?
yeah.. this has nothing to do with heaven and hell... its all perspective. although the eagle lived it's life as a chicken, who is to say that his life was any worse then it would have been had be been brought up as an eagle.
I look at the story this way. The eagle was led to believe that he was a chicken, thus he lived his life as a 'chicken', limiting himself, when in fact, the eagle could have been much more powerful if he knew what he was. So it's kinda like if you believe you can't do it, then you can't (when you actually can). It's got nothing to do with heaven and hell, i never said that... My quote below was just related to the power of the Mind.
There are many stories similar to this one. I think it just means people have different lives. (tong yun mm tong meng) People cannot control how their lives will be like. Many skilled and talented people cannot show their true potential because of the life they were put in. Just like how some poor people are very good at studying and may have a bright future if they carried on with education, but they have no money to go to university and their family cannot support them.
When you say people cannot control how their lives will be, are you referring to the fact that they cannot get out of whatever circumstance or situation they are in?...or is this in reference to your personal believe in the fact that we cannot change what our lives are like?
obviously from your perspective that is..right..what about the exceptional or few that break out of that life they were born into..
I was explaining my view of the intention of the story babyrain posted. The story did not say the eagle broke free of the his environment.
Ok, so your reply was based on the story. Then you said people cannot control how their lives will be like. Is that what the story says to you? Well, from one perspective that is...hmph... For me, the story says if you accept and question nothing, then you cannot control what your life will be like. For some reason i find your replies to this post most interesting. Knoc
There are many ways to look at the story and there are many versions of it. People can also interpret the story like if you always follow the norm, then you won't be able to bring out your true talents. Or if you don't set a goal to change your future for the better, then you will never advance. Many interesting interpretations indeed.
Indeed, this story can be seen from many different perspectives. Its interesting to see how people interpret this.
I don't think what you mentioned has got any relevance to the story. The story is trying hard to prove that some people just believe, and then limit themselves when in fact, they could have achieved much more if they explored the chances and their abilities. The eagle in this story never tried to explore the world, never tried to find out what he can really do. He just lived according to how every chicken around him is living, so he is limiting himself based on his own thinking. He could have in fact, spread his wings and fly high, and be the king of the world himself, if he had just tried. The story is trying hard to point out that if you have believed in no one but yourself and try, you would have achieved something. Whereas your interpretation is saying that some people are limited due to the circumstances they are bornt into. Your interpretation is discouraging, whilst the story's is encouraging... lol Hope the message of the story is clearer to everyone now -sweat
