#459 What If?

     “what if we acknowledged the wise place within each of us that can give us intelligent guidance? Then we could begin to look at our present life circumstances, whatever they may be, as the raw material of our learning. But in order to do this, we must stop regarding ourselves as victims of circumstances, and start to acknowledge that we are not here purely by accident. The master within is trying to help us wake up by confronting us with our current life situation, which contains all the lessons we need to learn in order to grow into more fully developed human beings.”

       Welwood J. ed. “Ordinary magic. Everyday life as spiritual path.” Shambhala, Boston, 1992. 

#458 Nothing is Hidden

     "The ninth century Zen master Siubi was asked: 'What is the secret of Zen?' 'Come back when there is nobody around and I shall tell you.' The inquirer returned. Siubi took him to a bamboo grove, pointed at the bamboos and said: 'See how long these are. See how short these are!'
     Suddenly the questioner saw, 'had a flash of awakening.' What did he see? He had a revelation of sheer existence. Where there is revelation, explanation becomes superfluous. Curiosity is dissolved in wonder."

       Welwood J. ed. “Ordinary magic. Everyday life as spiritual path.” Shambhala, Boston, 1992.

     How does the story above strike you? With patient, persistent practice, our ability to see things clearly - as they are - gradually (at times suddenly) improves.

Steve McCurry   http://stevemccurry.com/