Ages ago, there was a King of great riches who had a vast collection of exotica. One night when he was in a pensive mood, he wondered whether there existed a thing which could not only make a sad person feel happy but also make a happy person humble. While the King had lots in his collection that could cheer up a depressed soul, there was none that would singularly satisfy both conditions.
The very next day, he put forth his thoughts in the royal court where an award was announced to the person who could produce such a thing.
A few days later the royal guards ushered in an old man who said that he had brought just the right thing. He took a gold ring out of his pocket and handed it to the King. The King and courtiers wondered whether the old man was wasting their time by presenting what looked to be ordinary looking piece of jewelry.
When the King held the ring up close he realised that what made the ring so special were the words inscribed onto it. The magical words were: "This too shall pass."
The Think Page
Thoughts inspire: Because today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday
What is Heaven & what is Hell
What is Heaven & what is Hell
The old monk sat by the side of the road. With his eyes closed, his legs crossed and his hands folded in his lap, he sat. In deep meditation, he sat.
Suddenly his zazen was interrupted by the harsh and demanding voice of a samurai warrior. "Old man! Teach me about heaven and hell!"
At first, as though he had not heard, there was no perceptible response from the monk. But gradually he began to open his eyes, the faintest hint of a smile playing around the corners of his mouth as the samurai stood there, waiting impatiently, growing more and more agitated with each passing second.
"You wish to know the secrets of heaven and hell?" replied the monk at last. "You who are so unkempt. You whose hands and feet are covered with dirt. You whose hair is uncombed, whose breath is foul, whose sword is all rusty and neglected. You who are ugly and whose mother dresses you funny. You would ask me of heaven and hell?"
The samurai uttered a vile curse. He drew his sword and raised it high above his head. His face turned to crimson and the veins on his neck stood out as he prepared to sever the monk's head from its shoulders.
"That is hell," said the old monk gently, just as the sword began its descent. In that fraction of a second, the samurai was overcome with amazement, awe, compassion and love for this gentle being who had dared to risk his very life to give him such a teaching. He stopped his sword in mid-flight and his eyes filled with grateful tears.
"And that," said the monk, "is heaven."
The old monk sat by the side of the road. With his eyes closed, his legs crossed and his hands folded in his lap, he sat. In deep meditation, he sat.
Suddenly his zazen was interrupted by the harsh and demanding voice of a samurai warrior. "Old man! Teach me about heaven and hell!"
At first, as though he had not heard, there was no perceptible response from the monk. But gradually he began to open his eyes, the faintest hint of a smile playing around the corners of his mouth as the samurai stood there, waiting impatiently, growing more and more agitated with each passing second.
"You wish to know the secrets of heaven and hell?" replied the monk at last. "You who are so unkempt. You whose hands and feet are covered with dirt. You whose hair is uncombed, whose breath is foul, whose sword is all rusty and neglected. You who are ugly and whose mother dresses you funny. You would ask me of heaven and hell?"
The samurai uttered a vile curse. He drew his sword and raised it high above his head. His face turned to crimson and the veins on his neck stood out as he prepared to sever the monk's head from its shoulders.
"That is hell," said the old monk gently, just as the sword began its descent. In that fraction of a second, the samurai was overcome with amazement, awe, compassion and love for this gentle being who had dared to risk his very life to give him such a teaching. He stopped his sword in mid-flight and his eyes filled with grateful tears.
"And that," said the monk, "is heaven."
Shake off the dirt
Shake off the dirt
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he realised the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway. It just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!
Shake it off and take a step up!
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he realised the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway. It just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!
Shake it off and take a step up!
The Four Candles
The Four Candles
The four candles burnt slowly. The ambiance was so soft you could hear them talking.
The first one says: "I am Peace. But, nobody can keep me lit. I think I will go out." It's flame diminishes fast and it goes out completely.
The second one says: "I am Faith. Of everything in life I am the one that's no longer indispensible. There's no point in me continuing to burn for nobody." As soon as it spoke, a light breeze blew it out.
The third candle spoke softly: "I am Love. People ignore my role in life. They do not even love their dear ones. I am not determined to light up this world any longer." Moments later it too burned itself out.
A while later a little girl comes in. She is upset that all candles are not burning and begins crying.
At this, the fourth candle speaks up at last: "Do not despair! While I am still burning we can ignite the others. For, I am Hope!"
Hearing this, the girl smiled and used the candle of Hope to light the other candles.
The four candles burnt slowly. The ambiance was so soft you could hear them talking.
The first one says: "I am Peace. But, nobody can keep me lit. I think I will go out." It's flame diminishes fast and it goes out completely.
The second one says: "I am Faith. Of everything in life I am the one that's no longer indispensible. There's no point in me continuing to burn for nobody." As soon as it spoke, a light breeze blew it out.
The third candle spoke softly: "I am Love. People ignore my role in life. They do not even love their dear ones. I am not determined to light up this world any longer." Moments later it too burned itself out.
A while later a little girl comes in. She is upset that all candles are not burning and begins crying.
At this, the fourth candle speaks up at last: "Do not despair! While I am still burning we can ignite the others. For, I am Hope!"
Hearing this, the girl smiled and used the candle of Hope to light the other candles.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)