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.”
The student pondered for a moment, then asked, “How can one attain this ultimate truth?”
The master replied, “One can attain this ultimate truth by observing reality as it is, by observing the truth inside oneself. As one practices, one frees oneself from the misery of mental impurities and penetrates to the ultimate truth of mind and matter. And then, one transcends that, and experiences the truth which is beyond mind and matter. Whatever name one gives this ultimate truth is irrelevant; it is the truth of total liberation.”
The student nodded, understanding the master’s words. From that day forward, they committed to their practice of observing the truth inside themselves, seeking to attain the ultimate truth of total liberation.
Anonymous
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Ever-changing
thoughts and feelings
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
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?”