“Just Two More Miles” – The Value of a Guide
One day, as Buddha and his disciple Ananda journeyed between towns, they lost their way. Seeking direction, they asked some villagers how far the next town was.
“Just two miles,” the villagers replied.
Encouraged by the response, they continued walking. However, after covering two miles, there was still no sign of the town. Curious, they asked another group of villagers the same question.
Once again, they heard, “Just two miles.”
They walked another two miles, yet the town remained out of sight. Frustrated, Ananda turned to Buddha and asked, “Are these people deceiving us on purpose? We’ve walked much farther, yet the village is nowhere in sight. Why would they mislead us?”
Buddha smiled and said, “They are not lying; they are being compassionate. If they had told you the village was still many miles away, you might have given up. But by saying ‘just two miles,’ they encourage you to keep going. This is what a master does—he cannot walk the path for you, but he can give you the strength to move forward.”
He continued, “A true guide reminds you that the journey is not much longer, even when it feels endless. Without such encouragement, it’s easy to lose hope and stop walking. As Lao Tzu said, a journey of a thousand miles is completed step by step. You simply need to take the next step.”
Osho says about this story
“That’s why without a master it is almost impossible to travel on the path, because who will help give you courage? Who will say, “Just two miles more…”? Who will say that you are almost at the end of the journey, you have almost reached, just a little bit more…? And as Lao Tzu says, a thousand league journey is completed by taking only one step at a time. You take one step, then another, then another, and a thousand-mile journey is completed.”
This story beautifully illustrates the importance of a master in spiritual and personal growth. The idea of “just two miles more” serves as a metaphor for perseverance, encouragement, and the necessity of guidance on the path of self-discovery.
A master’s role isn’t to walk the path for you but to inspire you to keep moving forward, even when the journey feels endless. Without such guidance, doubt and exhaustion might take over, making the goal seem impossible.
Do you feel this applies to personal struggles in life as well? Like having mentors, teachers, or even friends who remind us to take just one more step when things get tough?
Please let us know what you think about this.
Astitva Well Being 