The Downside of UP!

Intuition is like common sense, not everyone follows its guide

If you choose to go UP,
you better prepare for the DOWN;
because before you reach any height
you need a solid foundation

…and something inside you knows it.

The only way I know
how to build such footing
is to face what you ignore
about yourself.

You will find there is a correlation
between how down you go
and how high you try to ascend.

You can’t afford to not aim high
If you don’t, you will keep looping
If you aim high, then you must go down
and resolve whatever is unfinished there.

…if you do, you may take your first step
and alas, with that step you are IN

https://moon.nasa.gov/resources/68/apollo-11-bootprint/

Satori is the Zen-Buddhism term for that instant moment of enlightenment. Zen is an extraordinary discipline for self-alignment and living a simple life. Most of us cannot live this rigorous and austere way of life. The teachings in Zen are not transferred as formal knowledge, it is practical and with a great deal of discipline. The teachings most of the time are by example and others by stories. The stories are an example of the Zen way; they are a fuse to ignite Satori in the apprenticeship of Life.

Today I will share a Zen story for your delightful enjoyment.

The assiduous pupil

There was a young pottery apprentice in a small village far from everywhere. Some ten miles away lived a wise monk in a hut at the edge of the dense forest. The young apprentice worked from five in the morning until five in the afternoon, seven days a week; however, he wanted to become a monk and be initiated in meditation and Zen practice by the wise monk. One day, after his workday, he decided to walk to the hut of the monk to ask him to teach him.

The first day he arrived at the hut and timidly knocked on the shaggy door. The monk opened the door and looked at him. The apprentice with reverence bowed and asked:

“Wise monk, would you please teach me Zen?”

No sooner had he finished his question when he heard an emphatic NO, while the door was slammed in his face. He stood there desolate.

The next day he again walked the ten miles to the hut and found the monk tending to his frugal orchard. The young apprentice asked the same question again, and the monk once again refused him with disdain. Every day of the week, rain or snow, the young apprentice walked the long stretch to be faced with the same refusal.

A few months later, one early-spring afternoon, the monk saw the apprentice arrive at the usual time and ask the request. The pause and silence of the elder monk gave the apprentice hope.

Then the monk said softly:

“Go yonder to the forest and do something meaningful. When you do, come back to tell me what you have accomplished”

Then he turned his back on the young lad and kept tending to his orchard.

The young apprentice came back some six months after toiling in the forest. The door of the hut was closed, he knocked and heard from within the trembling voice of the monk inviting him in. He took off his dirty sandals, put them on the side next to the step to enter the hut and with the utmost care walked in. The inside of the hermitage was simple and austere. The monk was sitting on a log in the corner of the small hut. The apprentice walked over. He stood in front of the monk and when he was about to open his mouth, the monk raised his hand to silence him. Then the monk asked him:

“On which side of the step did you leave your sandals?”

The apprentice was sent back to the forest.

***

Four and a half years passed by. The young apprentice came back to the hut. He knocked on the door and the monk’s voice invited him in. He put his sandals on the right-hand side of the step and walked in. The old monk had a difficult time moving around and had a ragged walking stick. He was making tea. The apprentice asked him if he remembered him. The monk said:

“Of course, my lad!” - Then he followed up with the rigorous question - “have you done something of value?”
The apprentice said somewhat proudly - “I have walked on water”.

The monk stood and then slowly and jaggedly walked towards him with his walking stick. When the old monk was next to him, he clubbed him lightly on the head with the stick.

“You little fool, with two cents you could rent a boat”.

The apprentice was sent back to the forest.

***

Seven years passed by. The apprentice was returning back to the hut to see the monk. He noticed a small crowd outside the door of the ragged and dilapidated hut. He ran and approached the entrance and heard the people murmuring. He asked:

“Where is the master?”
“He is dying” - an elder woman said softly.

He took off his sandals as fast as he could and ran in. Three elders from the village were next to the deathbed. The apprentice’s eyes were wide open. He saw the old, wrinkled face of the monk with a glimmer in his eyes.

“Master” - he asked - “do you remember me?”
At which the elder replied - “but of course my dear boy” - and continued - “have you done something of value?”

At which the apprentice with tears in his eyes said,

“I have only been able to eat when I am hungry and drink when I am thirsty”.
- “See my boy” - replied the monk - “you didn’t need my guide after all”.

Original art by Marialba Osio

Marialba Osio is a Venezuelan therapist and a dear friend. She is gifted in more ways than I can share here. We are both committed to the guide of the Spirit to teach us the way to live. I respect her deeply and find her counsel astute and discerning. I am proud to share some of her artistic work, even though she considers it personal explorations and is not keen on openly sharing them.
Thank you, my dear friend.