This iconic parable offers a profound lesson on radical generosity, detachment from material possessions, and recognising the boundless abundance of nature that can never be stolen. “Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the…
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Finding a piece of the truth
Sometimes, finding the truth is only the beginning. The real challenge is not turning that glimpse of truth into yet another belief. This delightful Zen tale reminds us how easily wisdom can…
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One-minute wisdom
“Is there such a thing as one-minute wisdom?” asked the disciples. “There certainly is,” said the Master. “But surely one minute is too brief?” “It is fifty-nine seconds too long.” To his…
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Laughing at yourself
True spiritual depth is marked by humility, ease and the ability to let go one’s self-importance. “There was nothing pompous about the Master. Wild, hilarious laughter prevailed each time he spoke, to…
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The eye to see
True genius lies in spiritual perception, in discerning the divine possibility within the ordinary world around us. “A writer arrived at a monastery to write a book about the Master. “People say…
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Who is greater?
Two disciples in an ashram started arguing on who is the greatest of the two. To put an end to the discussion, which was going on and on, they went to their…
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Not a minute to lose
When the Master heard that a neighbouring forest had been devastated by fire, he mobilised all his disciples. “We must replant the cedars,” he said. “The cedars?” exclaimed an incredulous disciple. “But…
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Dependence
To a disciple who depended overmuch on books, the Master said: “A man came to the market with a shopping list and lost it. When to his great joy he found it…
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Thought
“Why are you so wary of thought?” the philosopher asked the Master. “Thought is the one tool we have for organising the world.” “True. But thought can organise the world so well…
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Universality
The Master ordinarily dissuaded people from living in a monastery. “To profit from books you don’t have to live in a library,” he would say. Or, even more forcefully, “You can read…
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Irrelevance
All questions at the public meeting that day were about life beyond the grave. The Master only laughed and did not give a single answer. To his disciples, who demanded to know…
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Gossip
A disciple confessed his bad habit of repeating gossip. Said the Master wickedly, “Repeating it wouldn’t be so bad if you did not improve on it.” Anthony de Mello More from http://www.soulwise.net/…