Nin sat and cursed his labyrinthine fate. He felt as though life were a great river and he was being swept away by its current. If only someone would throw him a life-preserver!

Just then, as if in answer to his prayer, a white rabbit appeared before him. Nin recognized them as a rabbit he had met some months prior—but with one look, Nin could see they had changed, and grown—they had found the thing Nin himself still sought.

It was if they radiated serenity, as if their fur caught the light of some unseen sun.

Envious but also reverent, he asked the white rabbit to explain this feat, and how they had accomplished it in such a short amount of time. “What have you done?” asked Nin. “Where have you roamed?”

And the white rabbit replied, “Why, I stayed at home. You were right of course, we were like lotus-eaters in our warren, tamed and dull. And you were right to shake me from my slumber. When I woke, and the world was open to me, I was overwhelmed—every avenue was available, adventure was everywhere. I began imagining what tomorrow, or the next day would bring.”

“And?” Nin asked excitedly.

“And I realized, if wisdom could be found in every direction, could it not also be found at my feet? So I resolved to find what I sought in the most mundane of all places—the here and the now.” The little white rabbit stopped and smiled. “Yes—it can be found anywhere, at anytime.”

For a seeker such as Nin such a plain and straightforward answer was hardly satisfactory. “Then why are you here with me tonight?” he asked, “in this meadow far from home?”

“After becoming aware, I felt compelled to share my knowledge with others. I could not remain happy knowing that other beings were suffering.” The little white rabbit smiled softly down at Nin. “So here I am.”

Nin was hit with a flash. Others! Oh how selfish Nin had been, how greedy. All this time he had been on this pilgrimage, what little heed he had paid others. Always he’d sought knowledge for himself, wisdom for himself. Not once had he considered what he would do once he’d obtained it, if he would transmit it to others.

He’d closed himself off! He’d shut himself off! He thought only of himself!

Nin prostrated himself before the little white rabbit and confessed his sins. “What can I do to rectify this?” he asked, tears streaming from his eyes. “How can I find the path?”

“Have you tried charity work?” suggested the little white rabbit.