The Bowl and The River
True peace and enlightenment.
Once Upon a time, in the Golden Valley, nestled amidst the towering peaks of the Black Mountains, there lived the young and curious villager named Asriel.
Asriel had always been fascinated by the teachings of the wise Zen Master, who resided in a distant monastery. Determined to learn the secrets of inner peace and enlightenment, he embarked on a journey to seek the wisdom of the Zen Master.
After days of traversing treacherous mountain paths, Asriel finally arrived at the monastery. The Zen Master, a serene and gentle old man, welcomed him with a smile. Asriel explained his longing for knowledge and requested to become the Master's student.
The Zen Master, intrigued by Asriel's earnestness, agreed to teach him but presented a challenge. He handed Asriel a small clay bowl and told him, “Fill this bowl with water from the nearby river without spilling a single drop. Return to me only when the bowl is full.”
Puzzled but determined, Asriel accepted the challenge and headed towards the river. As he approached the flowing water, he dipped the bowl into the river but found that it had holes in it. Frustrated, he tried again and again, water kept leaking out leaving the bowl empty. Days turned into weeks, as Asriel tirelessly attempted to fill the bowl, he grew weary and despondent doubting his abilities. One evening as he sat by the river, watching the water flow. He noticed something remarkable. The stream, despite the rocks and obstacles, continued to flow effortlessly, undeterred by the cracks and gaps in the riverbed. Inspired by this observation Asriel had a realization. Instead of focusing on the bowls imperfections, he needed to shift his attention to the source of water, the river itself.
With newfound clarity, he decided to approach the Zen Master once more. Returning to the monastery, Asriel approached the Zen Master with an empty bowl. He bowed respectfully and said “Master, I have come to understand the lesson. The water flows freely and the bowl imperfections are insignificant compared to the vastness of the river. I seek not to fill the bowl but to immerse myself in the flowing water of wisdom and enlightenment”
The Zen Master's eyes twinkled with delight and he nodded approvingly. “You have learned well, young one. The true path to enlightenment lies not in fixating on our flaws but in embracing the boundless wisdom that surrounds us. Remember the obstacles and Imperfections in life are mere illusions. That seeks not to contain them to flow with them.
From that day forward, Asriel became the Zen Master's devoted student. Through his studies and contemplation, he discovered the true peace and enlightenment, coming from letting go of attachment to outcomes and embracing the present moment. He became a guiding light in Golden Valley. Sharing the wisdom he had gained from his journey to those who sought solace and inner tranquility.
You see, in life it is to focus on the essence and the bigger picture rather than fixating on the imperfections or obstacles that may arise. The story teaches us to embrace the flow of Life. accepting and adapting to its ups and downs. rather than trying to control or contain it. By letting go of attachment and seeking to immerse ourselves in wisdom and the present moment, we can find true peace and enlightenment.
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from writers in Motivation and other communities.
It Only Took One Minute.......
It only took a minute. I was sitting at the computer in my office when the phone rang. I picked up the receiver and then laid it down my desk as I went to find the student who the call was for. Within seconds I was back at my desk, ready to resume typing, when I heard the student yelling obscenities at me for listening in to his call through the handset that was still lying on the desk. Sick and tired of the lies he was spewing, I was up running down the hall, ready to kill him. By the time I reached him, I had calmed enough not to hurt him, but as I turned back towards my room, I knew that I couldn’t go on like this any longer. The decision was clear. I had to leave.
By Gail Wylie14 days ago in Motivation
Enduring power of the memory: Navigating the past and future
Memory is an important part of human’s lives and it makes us the way we can represent ourselves in the world. Over a period of time, memory has been a complex topic which offers insight into the nature of human experience and the relationship between mind, self and world. There have been researches regarding the relationship between memory and selfhood which raises questions such as How do our memories contribute to our sense of self? And what is the relationship between memory and the continuity of our personal narratives over time? Let’s delve deeper into the intricate workings of memory and explore it more.
By Shrushti Nikam3 days ago in Motivation
High Rise, Deep Impact
I have witnessed a death that I relive every time I step into an elevator. Although it no longer affects me as deeply—given that it's been 11 years since the incident—it remains a heart- rending memory from my first and last day as a paramedic. My initial call to the scene involved a man who seemed to have fallen down the elevator shaft of a high-rise building. Alternatively, it might have been that the elevator moved upwards while he was working on it. Different scenarios were being considered when I arrived.
By Penelope Henain2 days ago in Writers
One of the Crazy Things Rich People Do That's Scary To Think About
They impress us, and sometimes they scare us, but the ultra-rich are always interesting. Some of their famous activities include buying yachts too big to move through channels, buying ridiculously priced cars that could feed the homeless of New York for weeks, and their expensive tastes in sex workers.
By Jason Ray Morton 5 days ago in FYI
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.