A Zen teacher saw five of his students returning from the market, riding their bicycles. He went to them and asked each of them why they were riding their bicycles.
The first replied that he had carried a sack of potatoes on his bicycle. The monk praised him for having respect for his body and taking care of it.
The second student said that he loved watching the trees and fields pass by. The teacher commended him for being aware of the world and its riches.
The third remarked that he could practice chanting prayers as he rode. He was praised for developing a healthy mind.
The fourth claimed that riding his bike allowed him to live in harmony with all sentient beings. The monk was pleased and told him he was on the path to non-harming.
The fifth student just replied that he rode his bicycle because he enjoys riding his bicycle. The monk sat at his feet and said "I am your student."
From The Spirituality of Imperfection (attrib)
The title translates as Do what you are doing!
The Problem and the Joy of 'The Spirituality of Imperfection' is that I can't turn to the story on page 39 right now because I don't own a copy. There's only one other book I know in which I retain the odd page number.
ReplyDeleteI'm well on my way through my third reading of "The Spirituality of Imperfection." It is perhaps one of the most interesting and thought-provoking books I have ever read! (I will soon be getting a tattoo of the simplistic-yet-profound phrase "Agi Quod Agis" on my arm as a perpetual reminder.)
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