My teacher told me this story once. I was a 14 year old back then, and the enormity of the message was, frankly speaking, lost on me at that point of time. I have seen a bit of this world (including its ugly side) since that fateful day, and somehow, the story has grown in significance within me.
"A Zen master was walking through a forest.
Suddenly, looking back, he saw a tiger stalking him. He ran for his life, as the tiger chased him through the jungle. He came to a cliff with the tiger hot on his heels. Finding no other way, he jumped off from the cliff.
While falling, he caught an overhanging strawberry bush and dangled from it, trying to figure out how to climb down, as the angry tiger was still there at the top of the cliff, and he could not hang on for ever.
Looking down, his last hope was dashed, as he saw another tiger almost waiting for him at the bottom of the cliff."
(At this point in the story, the teacher asked me "What do you think happened next?" My reply was, maybe he got the tigers to fight each other and escaped or something equally heroic like that. I was not prepared for what came next.My teacher smiled, and continued - )
"He picked a strawberry from the bush he was hanging on to for dear life, and he said, "Ah! What lovely strawberries!""
The story has more to it than what meets the eye at first glance.Think about it.In the meantime, catch a smile and hold a heart.Thank you.
"A Zen master was walking through a forest.
Suddenly, looking back, he saw a tiger stalking him. He ran for his life, as the tiger chased him through the jungle. He came to a cliff with the tiger hot on his heels. Finding no other way, he jumped off from the cliff.
While falling, he caught an overhanging strawberry bush and dangled from it, trying to figure out how to climb down, as the angry tiger was still there at the top of the cliff, and he could not hang on for ever.
Looking down, his last hope was dashed, as he saw another tiger almost waiting for him at the bottom of the cliff."
(At this point in the story, the teacher asked me "What do you think happened next?" My reply was, maybe he got the tigers to fight each other and escaped or something equally heroic like that. I was not prepared for what came next.My teacher smiled, and continued - )
"He picked a strawberry from the bush he was hanging on to for dear life, and he said, "Ah! What lovely strawberries!""
The story has more to it than what meets the eye at first glance.Think about it.In the meantime, catch a smile and hold a heart.Thank you.
nice story presented in a much nicer way :)
ReplyDeleteHold a heart? O.o
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written.:-) with a beautiful message.:-)
ReplyDeletenice story
ReplyDeletePaulo Coelho
ReplyDeleteThe warrior of light behaves like water flowing around the obstacles he encounters.
Occasionally resisting might mean being destroyed, and so he adapts t circumstances.He accepts without complaint that the stones along the path hinder his way across the mountains.
Therein lies the strength of water : It cannot be shattered by a hammer, or wounded by a knife. The strongest sword in the world cannot scar its surface.
The waters of a river adapt themselves to whatever route proves possible, but the river never forgets it's one objective:The sea.So fragile at it's source,it gradually the strength of the other rivers it encounters.
and after a certain point it's power is absolute.
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ReplyDeleteStumble upon ur blog some time back due to DPS quote. Since then, always await for your posting, seems like some connection & linkage whats being encounter & felt. Admire most of your articles, felt alot of trueness in it.
ReplyDeleteglad you like it. it's not always very good, but i feel it when i write it. thank you for stopping. :-)
DeleteAppreciate for your acknowledgement reply. Looking forward more of your true felt story. "Enlightenment", its what I felt when I read yours. Take care.
ReplyDelete