Tagged: master
The answer is within.
The Master was explaining to his disciple about the journey of self-realization.
Master: “The journey starts with the observation of your mind. Observe the difference between you and your mind.”
Disciple: “what is to observe the mind?”
Evidently, the disciple wasn’t aware of the difference between him and his mind.
Master: “ Sit comfortably. Breathe in and out slowly, while looking at the wall in front of you. All that exists for you is the wall in front.”
Disciple: “ What is the purpose of that exercise?”
The Master ignored the question. The disciple practiced the exercises for a while.
Master: “ Tell me. What was the purpose of the exercise?”
Disciple: “ Well, I don’t know. My mind was trying to escape from looking at the wall. I was thinking of many things while I kept reminding me- ‘Look at the wall.’ My mind was getting tired.”
Master: “Was your mind reminding your mind to look at the wall?”
Disciple: “I don’t know.”
Master: “When you know, you will find out what is observation of the mind. The observer and that which is observed. Then, those 2 can become one.”
To separate means to acknowledge their singular value to then appreciate the wholesomeness of their union.
Tiring the monkey inside to get insight
The disciple looked at the Master. So calm and peaceful while he himself was so agitated, restless and confused.
He asked the Master, “What do you know that I don’t know?” And the Master simply replied, “I know nothing.”
“But you understand something that I don’t.” The Master said, “I have understood that there is nothing to understand.”
The disciple persisted, “But I see that you have reached.” In a matter of fact tone, the Master added, “Yes I have reached where I was.”
“Yet, I can see you have become extraordinary.”
Master: “No, I have become very ordinary. I only accepted things as they are.”
The disciple was frustrated now. “Master, don’t speak in riddles. Just tell me what I should do?”
Master: “You have to do nothing, just be. Just allow life to flow, don’t interfere. Rest in your beingness.”
However, the disciple was lost, and even more frustrated. His mind wanted activity while the Master kept pointing out that there is nothing to do, just rest.
Finally out of compassion, the Master suggested, “Watch your breath, watch the rising and falling of your stomach, focus on your third eye, on the bottom of your spine, chant your mantras and all that. They are basic activities to quiet the mind. When you give a tree to a monkey, the monkey goes up and down till he become tired. Then he finally rests. In that resting, insight finally awakens. ”
–Author Unknown
Exploring the Depth of Living 