Friday, October 23, 2009

This, too, will pass

Two stories from Eckart Tolle’s A New Earth book are interesting to share, though you might have heard about them.
Zen Master Hakuin of Japan was highly regarded by the neighbourhood. It so happened that the teenage daughter of his neighbour became pregnant. When questioned by angry parents, she pointed her finger at Hakuin. The parents accused the Zen master and shouted saying their daughter had confessed he was the father. “Is that so?” was all that he replied. The master lost his reputation and people shunned him. He remained unmoved. The child was born and the parents told him “look after the baby.” The master took loving care of the baby. After one year, the girl confessed that the real father was at the butcher shop. The parents went to Hakuin. “We are sorry. You are not the real father.” All that the master replied was, “Is that so?” The master responds to truth, bad news and good news in the same way.
A king was continuously torn between happiness and sadness. He approached a wise man. He promised to help. After some weeks he returned and handed a ring to the king. On it was inscribed the words “This, too, will pass.” The sage said, “Wear this always. Whatever happens, before you call it good or bad, read this inscription. You will always have peace.” The idea is, don’t jump too much when you hear good news, nor sulk too much on getting sad news.
Good one, eh!

29 comments:

  1. actually too good..
    read the haikun story somewhere though..

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  2. Very inspirational stories...thanks for sharing.Happy weekend.

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  3. nice story, but is it possible in today's world? having this kind attitude makes u seem like a !!

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  4. I very firmly believe in this too shall pass, thanks for sharing this Ramesh.

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  5. Is it possible to be so stoic? it seems like one is going through life without really living it.

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  6. short but effective...
    very much inspirational for people like me..some time i get too dissapointed when things go wrong..but my dad also says the same thing...thans for making me remeber .. :-p.

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  7. hmmm..
    2 exams gone...remaining 11 will pass too?
    :)

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  8. Excellent lessons. Thank you, Ramesh. Hope you are well and not working too hard. Much peace and love.

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  9. :-)

    This year we were not expecting any incentive. My co. surprised us and still gave something!! It was peanuts as against to last few years! Some ppl came to me and said 'they shouldn't have given even this much to us, let them take it back.'

    I said, "I wans't expecting even this much so am ok with it and if you aren't ok with it, donate it to somebody."

    Nobody said anything after it!!! I guess it is a matter of perspective, we always want more, we always crib for something that didn't happen etc...

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  10. :-)

    This year we were not expecting any incentive. My co. surprised us and still gave something!! It was peanuts as against to last few years! Some ppl came to me and said 'they shouldn't have given even this much to us, let them take it back.'

    I said, "I wans't expecting even this much so am ok with it and if you aren't ok with it, donate it to somebody."

    Nobody said anything after it!!! I guess it is a matter of perspective, we always want more, we always crib for something that didn't happen etc...

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  11. Nice lesson, first one shows, sooner or later truth always win. The second one, yes it is a mantra 'This too will pass'.

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  12. Excellent. Come up with more such gems.

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  13. Good stories! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Calm composed and politically right well that is how its done according to me.........well written....

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  15. very inspirational indeed Ramesh!! Remember this when the bed bugs come at night, and also when the lady with the lipstick enters your lift!!hahhaha Dont JUMP!!

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  16. Great. I liked the second part very much

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  17. Good one , this article had relevance to something that happened recently, hope i can refer this article in my next blogpiece

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  18. Wonderful and inspirational story. Thanks for this lovely post.

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  19. Thanks for the motivation...

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  20. very inspiring story. However, practising it is so difficult!! Good days take care of things but It's very difficult to keep ones cool during tough times.. nice post..

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  21. Great post, Ramesh! I will try to keep that in mind:)

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  22. easier said than done actually ....may be i can also look for the ring !!!!

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  23. Well they were wise men and the King was not. Just like us. We know anticipating and worry won't get us anything but yet we do!

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