The Master was walking through the fields one day when a young man, a troubled look upon his face, approached him.
"On such a beautiful day, it must be difficult to stay so serious," the Master said.
"Is it? I hadn't noticed," the young man said, turning to look around and notice his surroundings. His eyes scanned the landscape, but nothing seemed to register; his mind elsewhere. Watching intently, the Master continued to walk.
"Join me if you like." The Master walked to the edge of a still pond, framed by sycamore trees, their leaves golden orange and about to fall.
"Please sit down," the Master invited, patting the ground next to him. Looking carefully before sitting, the young man brushed the ground to clear a space for himself.
"Now, find a small stone, please," the Master instructed.
"What?"
"A stone. Please find a small stone and throw it in the pond."
Searching around him, the young man grabbed a pebble and threw it as far as he could.
"Tell me what you see," the Master instructed.
Straining his eyes to not miss a single detail, the man looked at the water's surface.
"I see ripples."
"Where did the ripples come from?"
"From the pebble I threw in the pond, Master."
"Please reach your hand into the water and stop the ripples," the Master asked.
Not understanding, the young man stuck his hand in the water as a ripple neared, only to cause more ripples. The young man was now completely baffled. Where was this going? Had he made a mistake in seeking out the Master? After all he was not a student, perhaps he could not be helped? Puzzled, the young man waited.
"Were you able to stop the ripples with your hands?" the Master asked.
"No, of course not."
"Could you have stopped the ripples, then?"
"No, Master. I told you I only caused more ripples."
"What if you had stopped the pebble from entering the water to begin with?" The Master smiled such a beautiful smile; the young man could not be upset.
"Next time you are unhappy with your life, catch the stone before it hits the water. Do not spend time trying to undo what you have done. Rather, change what you are going to do before you do it." The Master looked kindly upon the young man.
"But Master, how will I know what I am going to do before I do it?"
"Take the responsibility for living your own life. If you're working with a doctor to treat an illness, then ask the doctor to help you understand what caused the illness. Do not just treat the ripples. Keep asking questions." The young man stopped, his mind reeling.
"But I came to you to ask you for answers. Are you saying that I know the answers?"
"You may not know the answers right now, but if you ask the right questions, then you shall discover the answers."
"But what are the right questions, Master?"
"There are no wrong questions, only unasked ones. We must ask, for without asking, we cannot receive answers. But it is your responsibility to ask. No one else can do that for you."
Authors Details: Unknown Author
Welcome to Dutchcorner—a quiet space where poetry meets the hills of Christchurch, and stories unfold like petals in spring. May you find something here that stirs your soul.
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Ask questions, live conciously
The Master was walking through the fields one day when a young man, a troubled look upon his face, approached him.
"On such a beautiful day, it must be difficult to stay so serious," the Master said.
"Is it? I hadn't noticed," the young man said, turning to look around and notice his surroundings. His eyes scanned the landscape, but nothing seemed to register; his mind elsewhere. Watching intently, the Master continued to walk.
"Join me if you like." The Master walked to the edge of a still pond, framed by sycamore trees, their leaves golden orange and about to fall.
"Please sit down," the Master invited, patting the ground next to him. Looking carefully before sitting, the young man brushed the ground to clear a space for himself.
"Now, find a small stone, please," the Master instructed.
"What?"
"A stone. Please find a small stone and throw it in the pond."
Searching around him, the young man grabbed a pebble and threw it as far as he could.
"Tell me what you see," the Master instructed.
Straining his eyes to not miss a single detail, the man looked at the water's surface.
"I see ripples."
"Where did the ripples come from?"
"From the pebble I threw in the pond, Master."
"Please reach your hand into the water and stop the ripples," the Master asked.
Not understanding, the young man stuck his hand in the water as a ripple neared, only to cause more ripples. The young man was now completely baffled. Where was this going? Had he made a mistake in seeking out the Master? After all he was not a student, perhaps he could not be helped? Puzzled, the young man waited.
"Were you able to stop the ripples with your hands?" the Master asked.
"No, of course not."
"Could you have stopped the ripples, then?"
"No, Master. I told you I only caused more ripples."
"What if you had stopped the pebble from entering the water to begin with?" The Master smiled such a beautiful smile; the young man could not be upset.
"Next time you are unhappy with your life, catch the stone before it hits the water. Do not spend time trying to undo what you have done. Rather, change what you are going to do before you do it." The Master looked kindly upon the young man.
"But Master, how will I know what I am going to do before I do it?"
"Take the responsibility for living your own life. If you're working with a doctor to treat an illness, then ask the doctor to help you understand what caused the illness. Do not just treat the ripples. Keep asking questions." The young man stopped, his mind reeling.
"But I came to you to ask you for answers. Are you saying that I know the answers?"
"You may not know the answers right now, but if you ask the right questions, then you shall discover the answers."
"But what are the right questions, Master?"
"There are no wrong questions, only unasked ones. We must ask, for without asking, we cannot receive answers. But it is your responsibility to ask. No one else can do that for you."
Authors Details: Unknown Author
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Cool. I think no matter what we will cause ripples in all that we do, but great advice. Cause only good ripples!
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself sweetie. Thanks for leaving us with this inspiring message. Do what you need to do but know you will be missed. Looking forward to seeing you on your return and hearing more of your words of wisdom.
ReplyDeleteRemember I am always only an email away xxx
I suppose that sometimes the answer lies in the question itself. Well, you must need to take a break from blogging. Hopefully you will come back some day. Take care.
ReplyDeleteMarja..these stories you share are so thoughtful..every time I read them, it feels like they are so apt for me
ReplyDeleteMarja, these stories and fables have been inspirational.
ReplyDeleteI hope you won't be gone for too long. You leave a lot of friends wanting more. You also have my email should you ever want to get in touch.
You look after yourself.
With love, Keith X
Oh Marja, I am already sad when I read your post *sob*sob*...now who will tickle my brain when I blog-hop and make me think harder...BUT I understand, at times, we have to do what we have to do. So, I hope you have found the solution to what you want and be happy. And, that you come back to us very soon. much love and hugs to you, you're always in my mind and hear too :D
ReplyDeleteHi Marja.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great advice and a beautiful story.
I will miss you Marja, but we all have to make our own decisions.
ReplyDeleteShould you come back, I am sure some of us will still be here, or you will make new friends.
Hello Marja !
ReplyDeleteVery, very nice and cute photos...
What the choise ???
See You later.
I too appreciate what you have to say. It is good too, to sometimes stop and ask "why" one is doing particular things...
ReplyDeleteyou will be missed. take care. Kristen
You will be missed
ReplyDeleteA beautiful story!And the pics are perfect for your story!Take care,Marja!
ReplyDeleteMy dear Marja
ReplyDeleteThis was indeed a fantastic inspirational gem you have given on the eve of your departure. The philosophical underpinnings are indeed profound. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. Ma te Atua koe e tiaki