A Spiritual Athlete, known for his physical prowess and mental discipline, approached his Zen master after an intense training session.
“Master,” he asked, “I have learned to control my body, to move with grace and strength, and to harness my breath. But when it comes to my mind, I struggle to find stillness amidst the ever-changing thoughts and feelings.”
The Zen master, sensing his sincere desire for understanding, led him to the edge of a still pond. He picked up a small stone and threw it into the water, creating ripples that spread across the surface.
“Observe,” said the master. “Your mind is like the surface of this pond. Thoughts and feelings are like the ripples created by the stone. They come and go, always in motion. But tell me, who is the witness of these ripples?”
The Spiritual Athlete contemplated the master’s question, watching the water return to its calm state.
“Consciousness,” he answered hesitantly, “is the witness, uninvolved yet ever-present.”
The Zen master smiled, “Just as you have trained your body, now train your mind to see the true nature of your consciousness. Like the depths of the pond, it is always still and undisturbed by the ripples on the surface.”
Anonymous
Read more
Self-compassion
A young disciple once asked his Zen master, "How can I cultivate compassion towards myself as a Spiritual Athlete?" The master replied, "Imagine a person walking through a desert. They are thirsty, tired, and dehydrated. If they come across a well, they will drink...
Detachment
A student once asked his Zen master, "How can I cultivate detachment as a Spiritual Athlete?" The master replied, "Imagine a person holding onto a hot coal. The longer they hold onto it, the more it burns and hurts them. In the same way, the Spiritual Athlete...
Humility
A young disciple once asked his Zen master, "How can I cultivate humility as a Spiritual Athlete?" The master replied, "Imagine a person standing at the edge of the ocean. The vastness and majesty of the ocean is humbling, reminding them of their own smallness and...