Zen stories are most compelling and thought provoking and also most meaningless at first sight! If you try hard to guess the meaning, you’ll never get it but when you relax and let go (Zen practice) the meaning draws upon you. So here is a Zen story for you to enjoy and meditate upon.
The Story
Zen debates are known to be meaningless because often people can’t understand the deep meaning of it. Once an aspiring disciple went to Zen master and said, “I’ve come with nothing, what can I expect?” The Zen master replied, “Throw it away.”
He was shocked at Zen master’s reply, it didn’t made any sense at all. So he repeated his question. “I said I’ve come with nothing. So what can I throw?”
Zen master replied, “Then go and carry it with you.” This was even more absurd.
So what does this story mean? Don’t try hard – meditate. Remember, meditation is not concentration – but letting go and observing the true self. Go ahead give it a try then come back and look for the meaning.
Meaning
So here is what it meant. When the aspiring disciple went to master and claimed that he carries nothing – he was full of opinion, ego and prejudice. He thought he was equipped enough to know that he is empty –which wasn’t true for the empty one doesn’t claim to be so.
In such state, one cannot receive the pure and new. When we are full of notions and prejudices about life, we cannot see the light of wisdom and in ego we say, “Oh! I know all. I know it won’t work. I know he is bad. I know…”
So the Zen master said “Throw it away.” He readily accepted him as his disciple and gave him first lesson for without which he could learn no more. He asked him to throw away all is thoughts on what he is and what not.
But poor disciple, still full of ego thought the master was hard of hearing and never accepted his masters command and so what could he possibly learn. Full of prejudice about his master too he asked him again and finally the master replied “Then go and carry it with you.”
What master meant that he should go and carry all his clouded wisdom and untrue thoughts with him for rest of his life.
Conclusion
We all are receiving guidance from divine, from that what we call God, universe or source energy but till we throw away the notions we have formed about life no matter how true they seem, we will not learn.
Let’s be empty and share the joy of this wonderful insight and story in comments.
Photo Credit: smoke lotus by linh.ngân, on Flickr
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The first thought which came to me was 'nothing is something'. Attempting to think, to reason, to logically work your way through is just that – work. Work causes tension, and wherever tensions goes you're blocking the flow.
This is why logic has its place but pure openness – meditation – is where miracles happen. No judgement, no tension which inevitably occurs when trying to think. It's just letting go by allowing God to do the work.
So nothing is something when you think about nothing
It's interesting Sid because this post was thought-provoking but quickly became non thought-provoking. I knew right away to let go so that the answer would reveal itself. Another great lesson learned on Meditationrocks.
So true Ryan, that feeling of 'I HAVE NOTHING' is all that one needs to cloud the light of wisdom.
You've put is so wonderfully – let God do the work. And why not? he can and he always does better than us. Our work is to identify the desire, rest is done deal – if we let it be.
“So nothing is something when you think about nothing
” LOL yea coz the thought about nothing is again a thing. When nothing is there then nothing is not there.
It's like when we are sad – all the thoughts pour in and when we are happy – mind is empty.
Yes indeed, that's the way to understand Zen and Zen stories – let go. I am glad that Meditation Rocks! is proving to be a learning experience for you.
So true Ryan, that feeling of 'I HAVE NOTHING' is all that one needs to cloud the light of wisdom.
You've put is so wonderfully – let God do the work. And why not? he can and he always does better than us. Our work is to identify the desire, rest is done deal – if we let it be.
“So nothing is something when you think about nothing
” LOL yea coz the thought about nothing is again a thing. When nothing is there then nothing is not there.
It's like when we are sad – all the thoughts pour in and when we are happy – mind is empty.
Yes indeed, that's the way to understand Zen and Zen stories – let go. I am glad that Meditation Rocks! is proving to be a learning experience for you.
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