A disciple approached his master with some questions in mind about enlightenment and those fortunate souls who experience it.

The disciple asked his guru,

"Beloved master, how is it possible that a jivanmukta, one who is enlightened in life, can keep his peace and calm while humanity suffers and undergoes so many terrible tragedies?"

The master held his disciple's hand, looked into his eyes and said,

"Suppose you were sleeping, and then, in a dream you find yourself traveling in a great ship with many other passengers. Suddenly the ship suffers a malfunction; water penetrates the lower compartments and weigh down the ship, which begins to sink. Anguished and terrified, you awake abruptly and discover this was only a nightmare. Now let me ask you a question... will you, at that moment, try to quickly sleep again, return to the nightmare, and try to save your fellow passengers?"