ong ago, in a land far away, there were two travelers who happened to meet on a road. After
meeting, the two travelers decided to travel together. They shared many memories and tales of adventure, while progressing upon their way.
One day, they stopped together at an inn. The inn-keeper greeted them both heartily and asked them to join him for some food and refreshment. Following a feast fit for royalty, the men all moved to a smaller room where they told tales and partook of some rather strong drink.
Eventually, one of the two travelers fell into a drunken sleep. The following morning, his travelling companion was unable to wake him. Feeling compelled to continue his journey, the man felt great concern for his friend. Fearing that when the drunken man awoke, he would feel abandoned and in need, the compassionate man sewed a precious gem inside the cloak of the sleeping man. Then, he proceeded on his way.
When the drunken man awoke, he did, indeed, feel abandoned. And, having spent all of his money the night before for food and drink, he found himself in poverty. He wandered about the roadway in loneliness, need and suffering for some time to come.
Many months later, the compassionate traveller was once again passing the inn. He thought that the poor beggar he saw on the roadside looked familiar. Curious as to who the beggar was, the man went closer. He immediately recognized his former travelling companion. He was very distraught at the condition of his friend and said to him, “My dear friend, what has happened to you?”
The beggar responded, “When I awoke after our night of merriment, I found that you had deserted me. For the last several moons I have wandered the roadside in poverty and hunger.” The friend then told the poor man about the gem in his cloak, and advised him to look for it.
Much like the drunken man in the story, people who are transgendered wander about, suffering needlessly and totally unaware of what is hidden away inside their inner-nature. However unconscious a person may be of the fact that within them lies a precious gem, the treasure is there nonetheless.
This parable of the two travellers is a Buddhist one. It was told many centuries ago to explain to people that within them existed the potential for Buddhahood, commonly referred to as “Buddha Nature.” It is not a far reach to extend this to one’s inner gender identity. Many transgendered people wander through life suffering needlessly because they do not see or understand what is hidden inside of them.
If you are reading this, it is most likely that you have discovered the gem hidden within your cloak. You have become aware of your inner-nature and transgenderism. The many years of needless suffering, agonizing and guilt are over. Now that you have discovered the gem hidden within your cloak, you need to polish this jewel to its utmost brilliance. Don’t hide it away again, and don’t be afraid to let others see it.
For those who are in a relationship with a transgendered person, you are invited to help in the cutting and shaping of this jewel. It is much like sculpting a huge masterpiece, one holds the chisel while the other strikes with the hammer. While it it a job that can be done by one, the end result may be better when accomplished by a team.
Over the years, transgenderism, which encompassed many variations, has been known by many labels. For those who feel the need to adopt the appearance and role of the gender opposite that of their birth, we have been called a variety of names from transvestites and drag queens to queers and crossdressers. Now, there is a new term that has come to be used more frequently. That term is GEM (Gender Enhanced Male).
Perhaps the time has come for a new term, and a term that carries with it no negative connotations. It would be far easier for a woman to refer to her partner as a GEM, rather than a transvestite or a crossdresser. Don’t let labels stop you from becoming what nature has given you the potential to be. If you haven’t found the gem inside your cloak, I advise you to look for it.
The beauty of a rose is that it is,
what it is, without being something else.