How to subjugate a ghost

A young wife fell sick and was about to die. "I love you so much," she told her husband, "I do not want to leave you. Do not go from me to any other woman. If you do, I will return as a ghost and cause you endless trouble."

Soon the wife passed away. The husband respected her last wish for the first three months, but then he met another woman and fell in love with her. They became engaged to be married.

Immediately after the engagement a ghost appeared every night to the man, blaming him for not keeping his promise. The ghost was clever too. She told him exactly what had transpired between himself and his new sweetheart. Whenever he gave his fiancee a present, the ghost would describe it in detail. She would even repeat conversations, and it so annoyed the amn that he could not sleep. Someone advised him to take his problem to a Zen master who lived close to the village. At length, in despair, the poor man went to him for help.

"Your former wife became a ghost and knows everything you do, " commented the master. "Whatever you do or say, whatever you give your beloved, she knows. She must be a very wise ghost. Really you should admire such a ghost. The next time she appears, bargain with her. Tell her that she knows so much you can hide nothing from her, and that if she will answer you one question, you promise to break your engagement and remain single."

"What is the question I must ask her?" inquired the man.

The master replied: "Take a large handful of soy beans and ask her exactly how many beans you hold in your hand. If she cannot tell you, you will know that she is only a figment of your imagination and will trouble you no longer."

The next night, when the ghost appeared the man flattered her and told her that she knew everything.

"Indeed," replied the ghost, "and I know you went to see that Zen master today."

"And since you know so much," demanded the man, "tell me how many beans I hold in this hand!"

There was no longer any ghost to answer the question.

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Zen koans such as that above offer a way to approach happiness indirectly. Strategically subvert unhappiness. Readers areinvited to go beyond what they imagine.

Additional Zen koans can be found at www.ashidaKim.com/zenkoans

Comments

[Alexys Fairfield]

Hi Liara,

I LOVE this fantastic story. The mind is a strong instrument when sharpened by tools of the Soul.

It reminds me of the film Ghost. If we can live peacefully with other dimensions, then there is nothing wrong with it, but one dimension is usually not happy with the arrangements.

So did he get married after all? :D

[Miruh]

I interpret this story as if the man was creating his own censor on some level and attributing it to the ghost of his wife. It's a beautiful story.

[Bern]

The man felt guilty for making a promise he could not fulfill. In this story, the ghost is a reflection of the self. The ghost could only see or sense what he sensed. Since he did not know how many beans were in his hand, then the ghost could not.

His guilt created a block which needed to be addressed and therefore forgiven.

One can learn from this story never to make absolute promises in the first place. They themselves are blocks to experience. Therefore, it became his karma to erase such a block.

This makes me wonder if the world and its occupants are also a ghost of my making. I don't rule it out.

[Liara Covert]

Alexys, the mind and heart offer different perspectives. To move toward unconditional love and self-acceptance is to accept everything with grace.

[Liara Covert]

Miruh, the mind conjures its own ghosts. The heart reminds you love is all that exists. Fear arises when trust is lacking. Have faith and expand indefinitely.

[Liara Covert]

Bern, to allow energy to flow freely is to be willing to adjust to anything, to make make perpetual changes without fear or resistance. Any rigidity is a misperception. Conditioning often prompts people to resist change. Yet, change is all there is. Love flows through you. It is you.