The Zen Sage and Thieves : Way of Master

Sages are difficult to predict as there is no conditioned mind with them. The common psychology often fails. Sometimes you go with praises and windup with 'angry' responses. Other times, you mess up with condemnation and get bless in return. I have heard about such peculiar Zen masters. Once a student came to ask the suitable technique  him to follow. The master looked into his eyes and, all of sudden, caught him on arm and threw out of window from the first storey to ground. It caused serious physical injury but provided other understandings (known only to the student !?). Here, I am sharing an instance of another Zen sage who had diametrically opposite response. The exquisite story goes like this:

 Photo courtesy

It is said of one Zen master, one Zen sage.... He lived in a small hut three or four miles outside a village. One night he found that a thief had entered his hut. He was very much disturbed, because there was nothing in the house, and this thief had traveled for three or four miles in the night and he would have to go back empty-handed. The sage started weeping and crying. The thief also became concerned. He said, "What has happened? Why are you crying so much? Are you disturbed that I may take something from your hut?"

 

The sage said, "No, that is not the thing, I am disturbed because there is nothing here. At least you could have been a little more gentlemanly, you could have informed me before; I would have arranged something for you to steal. There is nothing – what will you think of me? And this is such an honor, that you traveled three or four miles in this night, this cold night, to come to my hut. No one has given such an honor to me before. I am just a beggar and you have made me a king, just by the idea that something can be stolen from me. And there is nothing, so I am crying. So what should I do now? You can take my blanket."

 

He had only one blanket, otherwise he was naked, just under his blanket he was naked. And the night was very cold. He said to the thief, "Please have some compassion on me and don’t say no, because I have nothing else to give to you. Take this blanket, and whenever you again think of visiting, just send a hint. I am poor, but still I will arrange something."

 

The thief could not understand what was happening, but he saw the man crying and weeping so he took compassion on him; he couldn’t say no. He took the blanket and disappeared. And that night this Zen monk wrote a small haiku, in which he said... he was sitting still at his window, the night was cool, cold, the full moon was in the sky, and he says in his haiku: 

God

if I could give this moon

to that thief....

This is the mind of a sage, or, the no-mind. With this same sage, again another thief happened to come to his hut. He was writing a letter, so he looked at the thief and said,

"For what have you come? What do you want?"

And this sage was so innocent that even the thief couldn’t tell a lie. So he said, "Looking at you, so mirror like, so innocent like a child, I cannot tell a lie. Should I tell the truth?"

The sage said, "Yes."

He said, "I have come to steal something."

The sage said, "There in that corner I have got a few rupees. You can take them" – and then he started to write his letter again.

 

The thief took the money, was trying to go out, and then the sage said, "Stop! When somebody gives you something you should thank him. The money may not be of much help, but thanking a person will go a long way and will be of help to you. So thank me!" The thief thanked him and disappeared into the dark.

 

Later on the thief was caught, and it was discovered that he had been to this sage’s hut also, so the sage was called to the court. The sage said, "Yes, I know this man very well – but he has never stolen anything from me. I gave him some rupees and he thanked me for them. It is finished, it was nothing wrong. The whole thing is finished, the account is closed. I gave him some money and he thanked me for it. He is not a thief."

 

This mind, or no-mind, of a sage is the base.

------------Love reference- Osho: Vedanta - Seven Steps to Samadhi

While writing this, I remembered a poetic piece:

किरणोका कोइ देश नही,
वायुका कोइ गाँव नही,
और, सन्तोंका कोइ विचार नही

( Rays are NOT of any  world

Breeze is NOT of any country

and, sages are of NO thoughts )

 

What do you think?

 

Technorati Tags: Way of masters,peculiar zen sages

Law of Attraction: Is it Boon or Making Us Victim?

What is Law of Attraction?

Law of attraction (LoA) simply says: the physical reality in our life is result of our intense thoughts. The foundation of LoA lies on notion that every entity, including the gross matter, in the universe is a bundle of vibrating energy, and the like vibrational frequencies are attracted each other in a way a radio tunes the resonating frequency. It means people's thoughts (both conscious and unconscious) dictate the reality of their lives, whether or not they're aware of it. Essentially,

If you really want something and truly believe it's possible, you'll get it. On the contrary, putting a lot of attention and thought onto something you don't want means you'll probably get that too.

Thus, it says, what you are now is the result of your thoughts generated in the past.

Is LoA Real?

Well, the LoA has attacked the wide circles of people with its controversial claims. The self-help circle and the behavior scientist are in its favor, while the main stream physicists and the medical personnel criticize its claim in the light of existing experimental facts. However, the controversy seems to be the explanation of its claims rather than the claim itself. Whatever the case, most people convince on the fact that:

Changing our thinking 'may not' changes out in the vast universe surrounding us. However, it does change something inside of us; our perception, your focus, our emotions and our thinking from negative to positive. It motivates us to narrow the gap between what we lack to what we want and has an enormous impact on our motivation, energy and creativity, and thus, we will then be more efficient getting our goal.

In spite of lack of objective proof, our experience and broader perspective needs little proof for its existence. More over,  the unproven facts can not be always false in first place. The power of observation also develops gradually. The law gravity has always been there even though it was not proved until the 17th century. As I gather from quantum mechanics, LoA is partially proven. QM says every matters is bundle of wave with its unique frequency and like frequency get tuned. The controversy is whether thought is form of measurable energy and can 'attract' the similar one. There is benefit of doubt for both side. Whatever you like, upto you :-).

How LoA not Gives the Favorite Outcome?

By the same principle it attracts what we want, it also attracts what we worry about. When we worry continuously about the failure of our attempts and the future outcome, the universes reads the worried signal being transmitted. Since the universe has no biasness, it gives the added worriedness back to us and thus there is vicious circle created. Still worse, if we know the LoA, we will try to avoid the negative thoughts popping in the mind. Our very knowing, 'I should not be worry', will create more worriedness as negation is the invitation. As a result , there is more likelihood of getting the unwanted outcome.

More importantly, the knowledge of LoA may create the craving of positive thoughts and aversion of negative thoughts, which are the hindrance to the ascension. Unless we have the total acceptance of the negative/darker aspects, they will not come the surface and impossible to release them. Thus if we do not know the antidote of the thoughts, likelihood of becoming victim of the very knowledge is always there. What happen if we give the sharp sword to a monkey?

The Incomplete Explanation of LoA by Mainstream Teachers

The LoA is not a new concepts. The law of Karma and Jesus quote "Ask thy will be given" are related with this notion. However, the well documented form of LoA is in Buddha's technique. The LoA is related to the 'Samyak Sankalp', an ingredient of eightfold path. It mentions that our life realities are directed by our intense bhav (intentive emotion). Although the mainstream gurus often motioned that LoA originated from there, their explanation has made this a mediocre principle, focusing on the intentive thought (rather than bhav) for the realities to happen. It seems that LoA is being explained and taught by the people who do not have taste of thoughtlessness or total Presence. In thoughtless state how the LoA works or is there feeling without thought, I do not know their answer. This explanation may hinder the spiritual ascension too. Explicitly, it motivates to intensely identify with the thoughts and the vision which you like to realize. This way, though works to generate what you want, keeps us away from the true nature and farther away from the state of peace. Therefore, Buddha has given the antidote to de-energizing the thoughts in another ingredient of eightfold path, Tathata (accept what you feeling). Even if there is no thoughts, the subsiding bhavs (love, compassion or Maitri) always attract the like frequency.

Can We Put LoA in Our Favor?

If you go to fight you should first know the defense techniques. So first practice the art of Tathata before consciously applying the LoA. We may have following steps.

1. If we have nothing special to do, be in Now. Invest more of our energy in feeling the bodily sensations and beyond. The chain of thoughts (positive or negative) if come forwards, surrender them to inner space.
2. It is never possible not to do anything. We have to make choices, have to fulfill our daily responsibility, and of course they are are enjoyable too. Generate and focus on the giving-based emotion rather than greed-based emotion. Put our energy in the positive efforts. Share the ideas with the friends circle get the feedback and draw more energy.
3. Whatever the result obtained, accept it as the best gift provided to us according to the present stage of evolution.

In that way we may not gather 'tons' on money, but what we generate is satisfactory to us. Whatever the case, the LOA is always working in background.

 

What are your observation?

Technorati Tags: Law of attraction,Eightfold paths,Art of Living

 

Love References:

1. Law of attraction: How to use in your favor
2. Lessons from a Recovering Door Mat: Law of Attraction in Action with Worrying

The Best Spiritual Teachers

From the title itself you may be guessing that the contents of this post incline to the famous Gurus, new age spiritual teachers or such enlightened mystics who have been guiding seeker to self discovery. Wait! I do write here about the ‘enlightened’ teachers, not necessarily the human one though. If we keep eye open to wider perspective, there are many bewildering ‘lessons’ around us and some of them are really ‘enlightened’ in their own way. From the ancient time, these have been the inspiration to all, and nobody can just pass them without stumbling. Let me underscore them.

1. Flower

No body left un-tempted when passing through flowers. they are source of creative activities to the artists, gift to the beloved one and worship to 'god'. To be transformed into flower from a tiny seed, is indeed, the most precious gift from a plant back to universe. Bringing a vivid picture of a blooming flower surpasses all the poetic expression of beauty, delicacy, purity and serenity. The link of flower to the spirituality also goes back to human early time of civilization, and Flower is reported to be the spiritual master for the self-realization of Mahakashyap the originator of ZEN. The juicy story goes like this:

Once, the emperor of that time, Prasenjita has come to offer Gautam Buddha some flowers out of season, with a great philosopher (Maulingaputta), whom Prasenjita has up to now believed to be his teacher. Prasenjita introduced his teacher, Maulingaputta, and said to Gautam Buddha,

"I offer my gratitude that you are staying in my kingdom; just let me know if anything is needed by the great assembly of monks. One thing more I ask you: I have brought my teacher, Maulingaputta, and he has come with his five hundred followers. He is a great philosopher, a man of tremendous knowledge, very articulate in discussing things. I pray to you to give him a chance to discuss ultimate problems with you.”

Gautam Buddha turned to Maulingaputta and said, ”I am ready. But are you ready?”

Maulingaputta could not understand what readiness was needed.

Gautam Buddha said, ”Readiness means, are you capable of being silent, utterly silent, not a single thought passing through your mind?”

He said, ”Thought is my life, I am a thinker; philosophy is my profession. All that I know about mind is that it is a thinking process. Beyond that I don’t know any silence you are talking about.”

Then Buddha said, ”You are not ready. And it will be a very strange conversation. From the hilltop I will be shouting to you, and from the dark valleys you will be answering me – without understanding me. So first, let us come to a point where our consciousness are at the same level.”

It was convincing, and even Prasenjita said, ”Gautam Buddha is right. But what is to be done?”

Gautam Buddha said, ”Nothing has to be done. Just sit silently by my side for two years. Many people will come and go, and ask – you don’t bother about anything. Your work is simply to watch and be silent. Not a single word for two years.”

At this moment Mahakashyapa, sitting under a tree, started laughing hysterically, could not manage... The whole assembly was shocked – they had never heard him even speak, he did not speak to anybody. You might say something, he would not answer; he would not take note of anybody. People had accepted him as a strange fellow. But what happened? Suddenly, out of nowhere... And he laughed, such beautiful laughter, resounding in that silence of the assembly.

Maulingaputta said, ”Why is your disciple laughing?”

Buddha said, ”You can ask him yourself.”

This is the only mention of Mahakashyapa in Buddhist scripture.

Mahakashyapa said, ”I am laughing because this fellow (Buddha) is tricky. He tricked me also, in the same way he is trying it on you. But now he has become old, so he is saying only two years; I had to remain silent for twenty years. If you really want to ask the questions, ask now. After two years it will be too late.”

And when Prasenjita offered flowers, Buddha called Mahakashyapa and gave those flowers to him. And he said, ”What could be said through words, I have said to everybody. What could not be said through words, but only through silence, I have imparted to Mahakashyapa.”

This presence of the flower become the final kick to the Mahakashyap and become his master.

................from Nansen the Turning point ( Osho discourse on Zen master)

The flower are delivering the message: Bloom dear Bloom!!

2. Next comes the Stones and crystals.

If you see the ordinary rock, what could be heavier, more im-penetratable and denser than it?And,yet,see some of them has great 'courage' to transform into crystals, and become transparent to the light. A mass of 'dirty coal', under inconceivable heat and pressure, transforms into diamonds, and some heavy minerals into other precious stones. What a fascinating and enlightening pursuits! Among them the mysterious paras (philosopher-stone) has the alchemic capability to convert iron to gold. These are the 'gurus' of many sufi fellows, being the source transmuting inspiration. These 'enlightened' rocks are whispering - Transform! Transform! and Be transparent !!

3. Flying Birds

Most reptile creature go on crawling from million years back. They are still remaining unchanged and destined to be most earthbound. However, some refused to crawl any longer and desired for feathers and wings and hence turned into birds, defying the force of gravity that had held them for so long. They didn’t become better at crawling or walking, but transcended crawling and walking entirely. What do you feel when you observe a wild swan flying in the sky!. The story of Jonathan Livingstone Seagull always makes me into tears. The little seagull refuses the tradition of other folk. For them to fly means only to accumulate the food. He seeks larger meaning in flying and learnt the ultimate flying skill, the skill by which he can fly surpassing all the boudary of space and time.

The flying wild swan became the master of Ramkrishna (master of Vivekananda). One day he was in the park observing the setting sun. Suddenly a flock of wild swan came from nowhere and flew across the golden sky. And synchronicity happen inside. He closed his eye and flew wildly in the inner sky and disappeared there!

What they sing: Fly! Dear Fly! why are you satisfying in the earth nook.

4. Finally The Butterfly.

What is the more bewildering story of metamorphosis than that of butterflies'. In a short life span, a tiny egg gives a hungry caterpillar. After his boring eating habit, he pursuits for the higher meaning and enters into 'silence'. When the efforts ripen, a flying butterfly with amazing color mixture born out.

What they are murmuring: Transmute yourself! you are not born for earth-bound and hunger!

What do you feel? Are not they giving a 'kicking' message??

Technorati Tags: Fly,Transformation

Jalauddin Rumi and His disciples

Dear friends, I am introducing a section called “way of masters”, in which the inspiring stories and instances with spiritual teachers will be described. Way and character of masters is very difficult to predict. Superficially some seem to be quite harsh (like some of the Zen Masters) and others contrastingly soft and kind. They love to teach their students from the everyday life and environment rather than the sutra in the Holy books. Here is one instances with famous sufi mystic and poet Jalaluddin Rumi.

 

One day Jalaluddin Rumi took all his students, disciples and devotees to a field. That was his way to teach them things of the beyond, through the examples of the world. He was not a theoretician, he was a very practical man. The disciples were thinking, “What could be the message, going to that far away field... and why can’t he say it here?”

But when they reached the field, they understood that they were wrong and he was right. The farmer seemed to be almost an insane man. He was digging a well in the field – and he had already dug eight incomplete wells. He would go a few feet and then he would find that there was no water. Then he would start digging another well... and the same story was continued. He had destroyed the whole field and he had not yet found water.

The master, Jalaluddin Rumi, told his disciples, “Can you understand something? If this man had been total and had put his whole energy into only one well, he would have reached to the deepest sources of water long ago. But the way he is going he will destroy the whole field and he will ever be able to make a single well. With so much effort he is simply destroying his own land, and getting more and more frustrated, disappointed: what kind of a desert has he purchased?

It is not a desert, but one has to go deep to find the sources of water.”

He turned to his disciples and asked them, “Are you going to follow this insane farmer? Sometimes on one path, sometimes on another path, sometimes listening to one, sometimes listening to another... you will collect much knowledge, but all that knowledge is simply junk, because it is not going to give you the enlightenment you were looking for. It is not going to lead you to the waters of eternal life.”

 

--------------From Osho Discourses

In my case also I had dug lot of well here and there. Many things appeal simultaneously, energy got dispersed and getting none....:-)

 

What are your observations and experiences?

 

Technorati Tags: Sufi Masters,Spirituality