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
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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 …
Love and Compassion
A student once asked his Zen master, “How can I cultivate love and compassion as a Spiritual Athlete?”