What's in the Drum?

It is told a fox plunges into the forest. The creature sees a drum hanging from a tree branch, leaning against the trunk. As the wind blows and the branches move, the fox can hear the noise of the drum. The fox sees the size of the drum and hears noises it makes.

Thinking that its flesh and leather are equal to its size, the fox starts to covet the drum. The creature struggles day and night; ignoring all else. Around the drum, there are many thorns and other enemies; and the fox plots many ways to get it for himself.

Finally, he reaches it, tears it open, to finds nothing inside except for the wind.

This is like the ones who love the world; they start to cry when darkness falls and death approaches.

However, those whose eyes are wide-open by means of knowledge do not pay any attention to the sound of drum in the forest where the fox plunges; they just hunt the eternal game, and look for that. 

~Mawlana Rumi

Confucius & the power of morality

Once when Confucius and his students were in the State of Chen, they ran out of food and the students fell ill. One of the students, Zi-lu, also a famous scholar, complained, "So, it is possible for a righteous person to become destitute!"

Confucius replied, "A righteous person can guard his morality and virtue even when he is destitute; whereas a wicked person will resort to all sorts of vices when he is destitute."  

What kinds of rationalisations do you make based on changing conditions? How does your view of right and wrong change, based on your health, financial situation, relationships and self-view? 

According to Confucious, our moral standard shouldn't change just because our life situation changes. He believes we are regularly tested to see whether we retain our principles in tough situations.  Many people will compromise their core selves based on their changing situation.  Ask yourself whether you gradually move away from original values and how you justify that to yourself and others.

Confucius sermised that the standard of being human is grounded in one's view of morality. Modern people tend to adapt their opinions to suit their behavior. Some people would say that present-day moral standards have changed tremendously from the past.  It is up to each person to decide whether this is good or acceptable. Confucious might say people selectively forget the basic standard of being human.

Confucius says….

To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue … gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.

Find a Holy man where you least expect

Word spread across the countryside about the wise Holy Man who lived in a small house atop the mountain. A man from the village decided to make the long and difficult journey to visit him.  He had questions and sought the teachings of a greeat scholar.

When he arrived at the house, he saw an old servant inside who greeting him at the door.

"I would like to see the wise Holy Man," he said to the servant.

The servant smiled and led him in. As they walked through the house, the man from the village looked eagerly around the house, anticipating his encounter with the Holy Man.  Before he knew it, he had been led to the back door and escorted outside. He stopped and turned to the servant,

"But I want to see the Holy Man!"

"You already have," said the old man. "Everyone you may meet in life, even if they appear plain and insignificant... see each of them as a wise Holy Man. If you do this, then whatever problem you brought here today will be solved."

Truly wise people don't seek prominance, but rather, choose to remain simple, ordinary and subtle.  Wisdom is hidden and nameless.  Its not characterized by your ego-inspired assumptions.  What would it take to separate yourself from superior-inferior labels?  As you examine your attachments to beliefs, realize you gain by letting these go. 

Begin to look beyond what your limited views tell you is the truth.  As you examine your own thoughts, you will realize you overlook sources of true wisdom around you. He may be your neighbour, a friend or a stranger on the street.  You will gain all that you need by recognizing wisdom presents itself in ways that make the ordinary extraordinary.

Without the mockery of those who believe themselve wise, the truly wise wouldn't be found. You're only one thought removed from sensing real wisdom.   Learn to see the world differently, step back from illusions you have created.  You can learn, retain and practice  insights.  Set aside your conditioned inclinations.   Reclaim your authentic self.

Hitting the target

Lieh Tzu was studying archery and he hit the target.  He sought advice from Kuan-Yin who asked him,

"Do you know why you hit the target?"

"No."

"It won't do yet."

Lieh Tzu went away to practice and after three years, he reported to Kuan-Yin.

"Do you know why you hit the target?" [asked Kuan-Yin].

"I know."

"It will do.  Hold onto this awareness and do not lose it."

This applies not only to archery, but also to ruling oneself.  Therefore, the sage scrutinizes not the fact of survival  or ruin, but its [underlying] reasons.

The above value tale is taken from Tao: its history & teachings by Osho

Strategy of the Rainmaker

A village had been experiencing drought for five consecutive years.  Many famous rainmakers had been called, but they all failed to generate rain.  In the villagers' last attempt, they called upon the renowned Rainmaker from afar. 

When he arrived at the village, all he did was set up his tent and disappear inside it for four days.  On the fifth day, the rain started to fall and quenched the thirst of the parched earth.  The people of the village asked the Rainmaker how he had accomplished such a miracle.

 The Rainmaker replied, "I have done nothing."

Astounded at his explanation, the villagers said, "How can that be?  After you came, we had rain for four continuous days."

The Rainmaker explained, "When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was that everything in your village was out-of-harmony with heaven.  So, I spent four days putting myself into harmony with the Divine.  Then, the rains came."