The Two Monks: A Lesson On The Power Of The Question!

Two novice monks were walking in the garden and observing the older monks as they walked, meditated and smoked their pipes. The first novice turned to the second and asked, do you think it would be alright if we also smoked a pipe? The second novice bore witness to his own lack of knowledge and suggested that they should ask the senior monk. They both agreed that they would ask that evening.

The next morning the first novice came into the meditation garden and looking around he saw the second novice walking, meditating, and smoking a pipe. Excited with disbelief, the first monk ran unrestrained towards the second monk and when close enough expressed a declaration as much as a question, what are you doing? The second monk calmly replied, isn't it obvious! The first novice proceeded to assert, we said that we would ask the master! The second monk answered, yes and I did! The first monk responded, no!, you couldn't have for the master would have said no to you as he did to me!

Calmly the second novice inquired, what exactly did you ask the master? The first monk responded, I said, Master if I am in the garden meditating would it be alright if I smoke? Speaking in a voice full of criticism and judgment the first novice monk continued, and the Master told me, absolutely no! The second novice monk nodded his head in understanding and said, ah! when I questioned the master I said, Master, if I am in the garden smoking would it be alright if I meditate? And he said absolutely yes!

Your thoughts on the Power of the Question?

Peace and Health
Live Wu-Te

Alakoso Sharif

The Monk & The Addict: Creating Change In Your Self

One day along the east coast of mainland China a man came to visit a monk. The man explained that he was addicted to opium and was desperate to stop. He asked the monk for help. The old monk handed the man a piece of chalk and a piece of slate. The man frowned with lack of understanding. The monk explained, "Go home and take these with you. Each day when you rise you are to write 'aum' (OM) on the slate 50 times, chant 'aum' as you write, and then weigh the chalk. That is the amount of opium that you can have for that day." The man was doubtful but went home and did as the monk had advised. Each day the man wrote 'aum' on the slate and weighed the chalk. Each day the chalk got smaller and smaller. Each day the man's need for opium grew weaker and weaker. And each day the man rose higher and higher, closer and closer to his true self for OM was lighting his way.

The principle that the monk used to assist the man seeking help is the same principle applied to the repetition of your training. If you are consistent in your training it is inevitable that you will bring about change.

There are several important elements in this story. Tell me what you understand about the monk and about the man addicted to opium. What lessons did you learn from this story? How can you apply it to yourself?

Alafia ati Ilera!

Peace and Health!

Seifu Sharif