You cannot steal the Moon

Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening a thief visited the hut only to discover there was nothing in it to steal.

Ryokan returned and caught him. "You may have come a long way to visit me," he told the prowler, "and you shoud not return emptyhanded. Please take my clothes as a gift."

The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and slunk away.

Ryokan sat naked, watching the moon. "Poor fellow, " he mused, "I wish I could give him this beautiful moon."

Comments

[Max H]

This could also be applied to competition. There is always someone with more wealth, faster, stronger, etc.

[Miguel de Luis]

Absolutely beautiful and inspiring story, Ryokan was in fact naked in Eden

[Mark]

Very good story ... what can I give is a powerful question.

[soulMerlin]

Only a few can see the Moon.

-henry

[Liara Covert]

Max H, another view is everyone and everything is equal.

[Liara Covert]

Miguel, as one merges with inner peace, labels dissolve.

[Liara Covert]

Mark, silence is a generous and timeless gift of wisdom.

[Liara Covert]

Henry, the Moon is never hidden. Ego may block the view.

[Mama Zen]

Lovely!

[Hilary]

Hi Liara .. I just love the idea of being able to give your all to someone in need .. while holding the moon ..

Thanks for bringing us Ryokan
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters

[Jannie Funster]

I would consider "You Can't Steal The Moon," for a song title.

Was delighted to receive your beautiful hard-cover book yesterday! Perhaps more song titles lie within. Luckily, melodies come easily to me. The lyrics, well... those are a harder beast to tame -- 5%inspiration, 95% perspiration.