New Sense

One day Two Buddhist Monks who were on a long journey approached a raging river. On the river bank stood a beautiful young lady. She approached them asking for help to cross the river as she feared drowning. The first monk walked ignored her and crossed the river. The second monk picked up the woman and carried her across the river. He placed her down, they parted ways with woman and on they went with their journey.

As the journey went on, the second monk could see some concern on the other monk’s mind, he asked what was wrong. The monk replied, “how could you carry her like that? You know we can’t touch women, it’s against our way of life”. The second monk answered, “I left the woman at the rivers edge a long way back, why are you still carrying her?”

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This has to be one of my favorite zen stories. I have narrated this story so many times that I have lost count and each time I narrate it, I appreciate it a little more…

What I have realised is that its very easy in life to get carried away with the flow of information. I have always been vary of the thoughts I was carrying with me and the disadvantages of their burden.

Very often we carry with us just a singular opinion of an incident and with that come assumptions and prejudice. Things change over time, the perpetrators forget the incident and yet we continue holding onto the assumptions and prejudice. I think it was Buddha who once said “Being angry at someone is like holding onto a burning piece of coal to throw it at them, we are the only ones getting burnt”

One of the hardest lessons I have had to learn in life is that no matter how good you are, no matter how well planned you execute a task it will never make everyone happy. And that sometimes the only way to get the peace of mind you seek is to simply let go.

There is a famous anecdote about a wise master and a tea cup. This story is one of my favourite zen stories. The short version goes something like this:

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era, received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.

Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!”

Like this cup, Nan-in said, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?

- taken from this post

Its a simple and beautiful story that hits home. What is amazing is that Hollywood has been dishing out different versions of this story way too many times.

There were mentions of parts or the entire anecdote in both 2012 and Avatar (and possibly many others I havent watched). To be honest either movie is not symbolic of great writing but seriously people shouldn’t you be trying to come up with something a little different than the original story.

Ps: And guys dont waste too much Tea while getting the message thru

1. Most people are overweight – they eat poorly and don’t exercise. You adopt a healthy lifestyle with a proper nutrition and regular exercise.
2. Most people seek happiness from their external circumstances – money, material goods, and relationships. You know that happiness comes from your internal world – an optimistic outlook and an attitude of gratitude.
3. Most people want the quick fix magic pill. You take a long term approach to creating the change you desire.
4. Most people never read a book again after graduating college. You make reading a regular habit.
5. Most people are looking for what they can get from a relationship. You focus on what you can give in a relationship.
6. Most people blame – other people, their parents, the government, evil corporations etc. You take responsibility.
7. Most people seek approval and permission. You go after what you want without hesitation.
8. Most people want a get rich quick scheme. You provide massive value for a period of time to accumulate wealth.
9. Most people don’t know what they want from life. You have your goals written down.
10. Most people complain. You take action to make things the way you want or accept them as they are if you can’t change them.
11. Most people compare themselves to others. You compare yourself to your personal standards.
12. Most people are limited by their fears. You breakthrough fears with courage.
13. Most people give their power away to authority figures. You are the ultimate authority in your life.
14. Most people hate their jobs. You find a way to make money doing what you love.
15. Most people spend hours in front of the television. You spend time doing what really inspires you.

Taken from Aivalli (Originally from here)