Pickled Vegetable Superman Part XIV - Pickled Vegetables and Pigs

Super Pickles: Fourteen - Pickles and the Pig

Since setting the goal of surpassing the heavens, he had started to work hard again. The result was extremely exhausting with little progress, and he seemed to be getting further and further away from heaven. As he practiced, he gradually developed anxiety disorder and depression. After becoming ill, not only could he forget about surpassing the heavens and obtaining roses, but he couldn't even be a superhero anymore. He couldn't control his own emotions and often felt inexplicable distress and anxiety.

That day, when he saw the pig lying peacefully on the grass sunbathing, he admired it greatly and went up to ask for the secret of happiness. The pig said something to him that greatly inspired him. Pickles decided to take the pig as his teacher and learn the secrets of happiness and joy from him.

If Pickles were to take others as teachers, they would all have their own skills. Now Pickles wanted to take the pig as his teacher. What skills did this pig have? Apart from eating and sleeping, what else could it do? Of course, the pig had one use: its name could be used to insult people. But was this useful to Pickles?

After saying so much, this is just our understanding. Let's see how Pickles understands it.

Pickles believed: Although pigs were greedy and lazy, they had good tempers and personalities. People said: personality determines fate. Since the pig had a good personality, its fate wasn't bad either. Although it only lived for one or two years, during this time, the pig didn't have to guard the house at night like a dog, didn't have to dig in the soil for food every day like a chicken, didn't have to gather mud to build a nest like a swallow, and certainly didn't have to worry about clothing, food, shelter, and transportation like us humans. Pigs could eat without worry, wear without concern, and live comfortably. Therefore, pigs were carefree and plump, looking like Buddhas. Moreover, pigs had a good mindset and never compared themselves with others. Even if you kicked them a few times, they would only grunt slightly, unlike dogs which would definitely jump up and bite you after being kicked once. The only flaw of pigs was that their lives were too short, but although life was brief, there were no regrets.

Although the above advantages of pigs were secondary, the key was the words the pig spoke that day, which greatly impressed Pickles.

That day, the pig lay on the grass, basking in the sun while stretching out and saying to Pickles: "Pickles, the snail seeking happiness, haven't you seen humans? They are very capable. They can fly in the sky like birds and dive into the deep sea like fish. They can eat all of us animals, push down mountains, and fill up seas. But what does that matter? They can do anything, but they aren't as happy as I, the pig. Look at how capable they are, yet they are also pitiful because they don't know themselves. When they think, God laughs. And yet, they still claim to fight against heaven and earth. In the end, everyone's life is filled with tears, setbacks, and pain. Everyone is pursuing happiness and joy, but for most people, happiness and joy are visible but unattainable. They don't realize that the more they chase happiness, the more it drifts away like a soap bubble. Because they always set me and what I want... as goals, they rush towards it at all costs. Countless people have pursued their defined happiness like moths rushing towards fire, burning themselves until they are exhausted and scarred. Then they blame the heavens for being unfair and complain about how difficult it is to be human. They never wake up and realize that the happiness they pursue is merely a soap bubble disguised as happiness, not true happiness. They always think of themselves as smart and intelligent, trusting themselves completely. So, God often laughs while watching them trip over themselves."

Because of these words from the pig, Pickles insisted on taking the pig as his teacher.

After becoming a disciple, the pig began to teach him: "The mind should be calm, desires should be few, contentment brings constant joy." It also made him chant continuously and practice yoga, Tai Chi, and other slow-moving exercises.

After practicing for some time, seeing Pickles slowly stabilize and gradually forget about surpassing the heavens and roses, the pig taught him: "Life is a dream, everything is empty. If you truly understand, let the breeze pass through your head."

When Pickles slowly became serene and stopped being troubled by external things, the pig taught him: "No self, no self, no self, no self." And it told him that "no self" was a very high realm. Ordinary people thought about "me" all day long; all their troubles and joys were linked to "me." Their minds were always occupied with human matters, their own affairs, so asking them to achieve "no self" was very difficult. Therefore, if a person could reach the state of "no self," they would transcend humanity and get closer to heaven.

At first, when trying to achieve "no self," Pickles felt lost, unable to find himself or even Rose. Gradually, however, he entered the state of "no self." At this point, Pickles often forgot his own existence and the existence of the world. This gave him access to another world, a transparent and beautiful one, where the sky was bluer and the water clearer. Everything was tranquil, without any noise or greed. He existed like a wisp of smoke or a gentle breeze.

He felt that he was now truly entering the realm of a superhuman.

Then, the pig taught him: "Transcend self, transcend self, transcend self, transcend self." Since transcending oneself rather than heaven, Pickles changed again. He began to perceive the beauty of the world but still forgot his own existence. This made him unconsciously do many beneficial things for society and nature without expecting any return. Even though there was no return, he felt incredibly free and happy, drifting like a speck of dust between heaven and earth, able to wander in ancient Greece five thousand years ago or travel in present-day China.

At this point, Pickles was no longer just Pickles but a true Super Pickles.

Super Pickles was very grateful to his mentor, Mr. Pig, believing him to be the embodiment of wisdom and virtue.

From then on, some of his descendants stopped eating pork, honoring Super Pickles' seventh episode - Pickles' Fart.