A Spiritual Athlete once asked her guru, “What is the law of karma?”
The guru replied, “The law of karma is like the boomerang. Whatever you send out into the world, good or bad, will come back to you.”
The Spiritual Athlete asked, “So if I do good things, good things will happen to me?”
The guru smiled and said, “Not necessarily. Doing good things does not guarantee good things will happen to you, but it does increase the likelihood. More importantly, doing good things is its own reward, as it brings joy and positivity into your life and the lives of those around you.”
The Spiritual Athlete then asked, “What if I’ve done bad things in the past? Can I change my karma?”
The guru replied, “Yes, you can change your karma by changing your actions in the present. Every moment is an opportunity to create positive karma and to undo negative karma. The key is to act with intention, compassion, and mindfulness.”
Anonymous
In this koan, the Spiritual Athlete asks her guru about the law of karma, which is a fundamental concept in many spiritual traditions.
The guru responds by using the metaphor of a boomerang, explaining that the energy we put out into the world will come back to us in some form.
The Spiritual Athlete then asks whether doing good things will ensure good things happen to her, and the guru emphasizes that the reward for doing good things is not necessarily external, but rather internal in the form of joy and positivity. Finally, the Spiritual Athlete asks whether it’s possible to change bad karma from past actions, and the guru affirms that one can always create positive karma in the present moment, no matter what has happened in the past. Overall, this koan encourages the practice of mindfulness, intentionality, and compassion as a means of creating positive karma and living a meaningful life.
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Embracing Life’s Flow
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The spiritual athlete approached his Zen master, puzzled by the various sensory experiences he encountered during his training.
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The Ultimate Truth
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A young student asked their master, “What is the ultimate truth?”
The master replied, “The ultimate truth is beyond words and concepts, beyond mind and matter, beyond time and space. It is the truth of total liberation from all defilements, all impurities, all suffering. It is the final goal of everyone.”
Garden of serenity
In a secluded valley, two monks tended a garden that flourished with vibrant colors and fragrances, a testament to their peaceful coexistence.
One day, a weary traveler sought refuge among them, curious about the secret to their harmonious living. “How do you cultivate this garden of serenity, both in the soil and in your souls?” he asked.
Yearning for calm
In a village of endless storms, a seeker approached a wise sage, yearning for calm within the tempests of life.
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Ever-changing
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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.”
Prayer
A Spiritual Athlete once approached her Zen guru with a question about prayer. She asked, “I have been contemplating the nature of prayer. It seems that when we pray, we are reaching out to an external deity. But is it possible that, in reality, we are praying to the unrevealed Self within us?”
Five elements
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Many paths,
same destination
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