Several years ago I attended a 10 day silent meditation retreat with my teacher in India. I remember fondly how much I enjoyed the silence and the opportunity to simply watch my thoughts without giving them verbal form. I also remember how difficult it was for some of the group (we were about 200 people) […]
Tag: zen story
This story comes from the tradition of Zen Buddhist stories. I’m sharing it here because of how clearly it demonstrates that the real goal of spiritual practice is not to dominate, control or master physical reality on Earth. Instead, the goal is simply to rest in the fearlessness that comes from the peace of knowing […]
Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!” “Like this […]