A parable of a man who spends his life trying to change the world before finally turning inward makes the case that all meaningful change begins with the self — not as a spiritual ideal, but as the only practical starting point. Simulating is built on the same premise: that the interior is where the real work happens, and that going within is not a retreat from life but a return to its source.
There was a man of 30 years of age, and he looked around him at the trouble in the world and prayed: ‘God, help me change the world and make it a better place.’ He tried for 25 years and could not change the world around him.
So at age 55 he prayed again: ‘God, I see I cannot change the world, but help me change my family for the better — my wife, children and grandchildren.’ Again, he tried for 25 years but found he could not change them either.
Now he was 80 years old and very near death. So he prayed once more: ‘Alas God, I could not change the world or even change my family for the better. Please help me change myself for the better.’
And God answered and said: ‘This is what you should have prayed for first!’
The point of the story is obvious. We do not try to fix others without working on our self first. We must begin with our self and our inner world. However, we do not need to wait until we are enlightened to help others. Any more than we need to wait to become a millionaire to give a hungry person a sandwich. Wherever we stand now, we serve others in need to the best of our ability and resources.