A young monk asked his teacher, “How can I truly embody the phrase ‘Breath, Move & Inspire’ in my practice?”
The teacher replied, “When you breathe, let it be a full and deep breath that fills your entire being. When you move, let it be with grace and intention, as though every step is a dance. And when you inspire, let it be from the depths of your soul, so that others may feel the warmth of your spirit.”
The monk nodded, understanding the words but unsure of how to apply them. So the teacher gave him a simple task: “Go outside and watch the birds. Observe how they breathe, move, and inspire others with their song. Learn from them, and bring that wisdom back to your practice.”
The monk did as he was told, and spent hours watching the birds. He saw how they breathed deeply and effortlessly, how they moved with grace and ease, and how their songs lifted the hearts of all who heard them.
As he returned to his practice, the monk felt a newfound sense of purpose and inspiration. He realized that, like the birds, he too could embody the qualities of breath, movement, and inspiration. And in doing so, he could bring joy and light to the world around him.
Anonymous
The koan encourages us to embody three qualities – breathing deeply, moving with intention, and inspiring others from the depths of our soul. These are seen as essential components of a meaningful and purposeful life. The koan suggests that we can learn from the natural world, specifically from the birds, who embody these qualities effortlessly. By observing and learning from nature, we can cultivate these qualities within ourselves and bring joy and light to the world around us. The koan invites us to consider how we can incorporate these qualities into our daily practice and how we can inspire others through our actions.
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Five elements
One day, a curious Spiritual Athlete approached her Zen guru with a question about the five elements: water, fire, earth, air, and aether. She asked, “Master, how can I understand the significance of these elements in my spiritual journey?”
Many paths,
same destination
A Spiritual Athlete once approached her Zen guru and asked, “There are so many religions and spiritual paths in the world. How can I know which one to believe and follow?” The guru replied, “Imagine a mountain, with many paths leading to its summit. Each path has its own unique landscape, challenges, and beauty,
Meditation practice
A Spiritual Athlete once approached her Zen guru and asked, “How can I deepen my meditation practice and make progress on my spiritual journey?” The guru replied, “Imagine a river, constantly flowing and ever-changing.
Crucifixion and Resurrection
One day, a weary traveler arrived at the village, having journeyed long and far in search of answers. He sought out the old master and found him sitting beneath an ancient tree, deep in meditation.
“Master,” the traveler asked, “I have heard tales of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Can you help me understand the true meaning of these events?”
Moksha
Here’s a Zen koan related to the concept of Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth:
A student once asked his Zen master, “How can I achieve Moksha as a Spiritual Athlete?” The master replied, “Imagine a bird trapped in a cage. It dreams of soaring through the sky and being free, but it is bound by the bars of the cage.
Self-Discovery
Men go abroad to admire the heights of mountains
The mighty waves of the sea
The broad tides of rivers …