The Great Truth
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
A story is told of a young Zen student who visits his master to ask for advice about his meditation practice.
“Master,” the student says. “My meditation practice is terrible! My body aches and my mind races. I can’t reach any sort of depth.”
The master looks at the student, and replies evenly, “It will pass.”
A week later, the student returns.
“Master!” He cries. “You were right! I’ve been able to meditate so profoundly. It was as though I reached the depths of consciousness itself. I felt one with the universe. It was awesome!”
The master looks at the student, and replies evenly, “It will pass.”
Likewise, Abraham Lincoln, in one of his addresses, included a parable based on those written by Sufi and Jewish mystics:
It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: “And this, too, shall pass away.” How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!
[Source: Wikipedia]
I am often reminded of this story throughout many periods in my life. I remember when there is a struggle, and when there is elation, that all things pass. There’s a freedom in that understanding; you can allow yourself simply enjoy the good times without clinging, and you can allow yourself to weather the bad times without mulling over them.
It seems like such a simple thing, yet this understanding is the key to living in the new consciousness.
Leave your thoughts in the comments.
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Reminds me of the concept of “expansion and contraction.”
Things will come and go, in cycles perhaps, but they will always come and go. What is the aspect to our selves where there is no coming and going? It’s such an encouragement to sink deeper into meditation and discover who we really are.
Great blog, thanks!
-Jer (shamansun)
@jer: You’re so right. And understanding these cycles are often helpful to me when I get stuck the mind’s story.