The story we are going to share today is a seemingly simple parable, but one that carries great wisdom. It's a children's tale, but with profound lessons about a pilgrim’s journey in search of truth.
It serves as an important reminder for all of us: what we know is but a drop, while what we don’t know is an ocean. The search for light and self-knowledge requires us to detach from vanity, ambition, and prejudice, diving into the vastness of life, like a drop of water in the endless sea.
Once upon a time, there was an iceberg named Ice. Ice was born in the cold lands of Siberia and, from an early age, developed a great love for exploring the world. He enjoyed watching the sun, the clouds, the mountains, and the other icebergs that accompanied him, as well as the ships that passed nearby. He had many friends, each with their own characteristics: some were taller, others shorter, some faster, others slower. But one thing caught Ice's attention: some of his friends mysteriously disappeared into the sea, which frightened him.
Ice went about his routine, sometimes approaching the shore and sometimes moving away to deeper waters, but always in the same regions. Until one day, a massive whale appeared and said to him:
"Did you know that a great part of you is submerged, and that part is much larger than what you see above the water? And did you know that it's that part that takes you to places?"
Perplexed, Ice realized that he had always believed that it was the white part of his body above the water that defined him, and he thought it was he who decided where he would go. But he soon realized that an invisible force, greater than his own will, was guiding him.
As time passed, Ice began to feel powerless, and a deep sadness took over him. The freedom he once believed he had seemed to vanish, and he felt at the mercy of something he couldn’t understand. The sensation of no longer being in control was overwhelming.
The Encounter with the Dolphin On a beautiful sunny day, while passing an island, Ice saw several dolphins joyfully jumping around him. Curious, he called one of the dolphins and asked:
"You seem so free and happy. I wish I could feel that way, but there's a part of me that's very large and heavy, and it prevents me from going farther."
The dolphin, with a smile, replied:
"I’ve met icebergs from other seas. They are different from the ones here. The part of them that is submerged is much smaller, which makes them lighter and more agile."
Ice was intrigued and wanted to know how he could be like these icebergs. The dolphin explained that one of these icebergs, tired of his life, had asked the God of icebergs for help, and from that point on, he began to feel lighter as he moved toward warmer waters.
With hope, Ice made the same request and, days later, noticed that the places he was traveling to began to get warmer. He felt lighter and, with that lightness, started moving more freely, exploring new places, and discovering wonderful things. He saw different lands, exotic plants, birds in the sky, and fish in the waters. For the first time, he was enchanted by what life had to offer beyond what he knew.
The Search for Self-Knowledge Determined to share his discoveries with his friends from Siberia, Ice returned to where he was born. When he told his story, he was met with disbelief and even hostility. Many mocked him, and others treated him with indifference. He felt sad and discouraged, but soon a voice within told him to trust his experience and follow his path.
Once again, Ice set off, feeling lighter and happier. He traveled through unknown seas and met other icebergs who, like him, were freer. With each new encounter, Ice felt more connected to the ocean and to the life around him.
The Encounter with the Cloud As time passed, Ice began to notice something different. He felt that the wind and even the mountains seemed to speak to him, but it was a cloud that called out to him directly:
"Hey, Ice! Don’t be afraid! I’m your friend."
Confused, Ice asked:
"Who are you?"
The cloud explained:
"I’m a cloud, and I’m your friend. I’ve been watching you for a long time. Have you noticed that now, after going through a transformation, your molecules are vibrating faster and you’re lighter?"
Ice began to understand. The cloud told him that he and she were made of the same substance, water molecules, but while he was denser, she was lighter. The cloud also revealed that she had once been an iceberg and, desiring to remember who she was, went through a transformation to become a cloud.
Intrigued, Ice asked:
"How can I become a cloud like you?"
The cloud smiled and replied:
"You just need to have the pure intention to remember who you are. And then, you’ll go through a transformation until you become what you already are: pure water."
Before disappearing, the cloud said:
"Remember, I’m always here. When you want, just call me."
The Transformation of Ice In the days that followed, Ice began to reflect deeply on everything he had learned. On a starry night, he made a wish to the ocean: "I want to know who I am. I want to know the full truth about myself." And then, he felt an intense vibration in his body, as if his entire essence was awakening. He felt an inner warmth, his molecules vibrating in a new way, and he began to perceive himself on a deeper level.
Now, Ice was no longer only guided by the submerged part of his body, but by the very energy of the ocean. He realized that he was always in the right place, at the right time, living in perfect harmony with the universe.
On a peaceful night, while admiring the waning moon, Ice finally understood: he had always been the ocean. His friends from Siberia, wherever they were, were also part of the whole. There was no separation between them. He realized that he was the water in its purest form, and that life had always been an expression of universal love.
With this understanding, Ice completely melted, becoming an eternal part of the ocean, without limits, without fear, just Love.
Ice's story teaches us that true freedom comes from self-knowledge. When we detach from the limitations imposed by our narrow view of life, we are able to experience the vastness of being, connected with all those around us.
