No Problem...... (inspirational)

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram All,

 

A wonderful Buddhist story for us all to reflect upon!

With love & light,Madhvi

 

Master Hakuin And The Baby

There was a great Zen Master Hakuin (Japanese Buddhist monk) who lived in a

small hut. He was greatly revered in the village and known as a wise and

saintly man.

 

One day a village girl became pregnant. The father of the baby left town and she

was alone and frightened. As she did not know what else to do, she told the

entire village that Master Hakuin was the father.

All the townspeople shocked. They stopped bringing food and offerings. Instead

of praising Haikuin now they blamed him.

"You are the worst of all beings," they said.

"Is that so?" replied Hakuin.

The baby was born the the village girl brought the child to Hakuin to be cared for.

"This baby is yours," she said.

"Is that so?" Hakuin said and took the baby gladly.

Hakuin cared for the baby lovingly for several years.

 

Then, one day, the father of the baby returned to the village and wanted to

marry the mother and take back the baby. They told everybody the truth about

what happened.

The people were astonished. They all began to praise Master Hakuin and return to

his hut with offerings.

"Is that so?" said Master Hakuin.

Soon after that the couple returned for the baby. "Is that so?" Master Hakuin

murmured and gave them their child lovingly.

 

Master Hakuin did not see a problem. He accepted all that life brought him. What

seems good turns bad, what seems bad turns good. It is an endless cycle.

 

SEPARATING GOOD FROM THE BAD

 

Part of the natural human condition is to be subject to suffering, pain, loss,

anxiety, sorrow as well as times of joy, fulfillment and delight. However, when

happiness comes we want to hold onto it, to keep it with us forever. When

painful times come we want to push them away, numb ourselves, withdraw. But as

our beloved Baba reminds us, we must learn how to hold all of life in the palm

of our hands.

 

When we judge something as bad, we cut it off and discard it, not fully learning

the lesson it has for us. When we reject bitterness in life, we also grow unable

to taste that which is sweet. We become one sided and block out much of what

life brings.

 

When we call ourselves a failure, we stop ourselves from learning. We label a

small part of the experience, unwilling to allow the full meaning of what has

to be revealed. Not only does this bring peace of mind, but step by step we

become strong enough to welcome all of life, rather than live in fear.

MOMENT BY MOMENT

 

Don't Turn Life Into A Problem

Stop Judging Everything Good Or Bad

Release Yourself From Unnecessary Demands

Do Each Action Completely

Then Do Something Else

Watch What Goes On

Everything Changes

Take What Life Brings

Say To Yourself "Is That So?"

Rest In Uncertainty, Don't Figure It Out

Let Life Tell You What Is Needed Now

TRY THIS EXERCISE on: No Problem

 

Take a problem that troubles you.

Find five things you like about having it.

Find five things it brings to your life.

Find five things it takes away.

Find five others who share this problem.

Who would you be without it? How would you occupy your day?

Find another problem you'd like to have to replace it?

What would life be without all this?

Try it and see.

 

 

- Author Anonymous

 

Duty is God, Work is Worship