What Are You Bringing Home

What Are You Bringing Home

“The world is an illusion, a dream.  It only appears to be real to the person who is unaware that it is a dream.”  –  Alan Watts

There’s a story of a man who travels to a distant island where diamonds are everywhere — glittering in the streets, too abundant to be considered valuable. The locals trade not in diamonds, but in fish.

So the man adapts. He learns their ways. He becomes successful — in fish. He builds wealth, gains respect, and eventually prepares to return home. 

But before leaving, he notices a few small diamonds stuck to the soles of his shoes. He brings them with him — just in case.
When he arrives home, his fish have rotted. They’re worthless. But the diamonds — those few unnoticed gems — are of immense value.

This is the soul’s journey.

We come to this world and forget what really matters. We get caught up in the trade of survival, a narrative, approval, status — even spiritual performance. But the true treasure lies elsewhere: in moments of honesty, presence, love, prayer, and courage.

The inquiry pursued here is not about escaping the world (The Matrix).
It’s about remembering what to bring home.