After ten years of apprenticeship, Tenno achieved the rank of Zen teacher. One rainy day, he went to visit the famous master Nan-in. When he walked in, the master greeted him with a question, “Did you leave your wooden clogs and umbrella on the porch?”
“Yes,” Tenno replied.
“Tell me,” the master continued, “did you place your umbrella to the left of your shoes, or to the right?”
Tenno did not know the answer, and realized that he had not yet attained full awareness. So he became Nan-in’s apprentice and studied under him for ten more years.
[Source: http://www-usr.rider.edu/~suler/zenstory/awareness.html]
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Marg 11.06.09 at 5:29 am
Ah, Mindfulness. Be Here Now! Why is it so hard? Especially when it is the one thing that brings you to the center. Peace! I think it is so hard partly because of the world we live in today.
I have read many of the books by Thich Nhat Hanh on mindfulness. He presents things in such a simple way. You say to yourself, “Why not?” Clearly easier said than done. So I practice, practice, practice. But the world and the stress of it often gets in the way. I think I will practice today. I haven’t in awhile. And I think I could use a little practice. Stress has been off the charts, my appreciation of the simple good things in my life has been low. Thanks for the reminder.
M.
Ron 11.06.09 at 7:24 am
Yes, Father Paul, thank you for the reminder. I identify fully with what Marg has said: “Mindfulness. Be Here Now! Why is it so hard? Especially when it is the one thing that brings you to the center. Peace!”
I resolve everyday that I will meditate and contemplate so as to remain close to The Spirit of God. Sometimes I succeed. More often than not, I succeed for a few minutes, get up from my meditation chair and the things of this world pull me away from being “mindful” and I lose “touch.”
It seems to me that it should be an easier thing for me than it is for those who must remain in the “work” world, since I am retired and can rope myself off from the many stresses Marg talks of. Even so, it is still hard for me to remain in a state of mindfulness. I disappoint myself so often and feel badly that I do not use the freedom and the Graces God has given me to keep myself in a state of mindfulness.
It is getting easier, Father, since having discovered your Blog and feeling the benefits of your work and the input of all those who accompany you in your belief that, “…people for others will, quite literally, make the world a better place.”
I thank you Father, and also all who accompany you and contribute to this site to help open doors to a new and deeper understanding of the meaning of “community” and the practical benefits of remaining mindful. It is making my world a better place.
Ron
Ron 11.06.09 at 7:39 am
Thank you Father Paul also for the link to “Zen Stories To Tell Your Neighbors.” Thomas Merton, whose book, “The Seven Story Mountain,” I am re-reading thanks to your “Top 5 Books List” was also someone who appreciated what Zen can bring into a person’s life.
So much to explore, so much to be thankful for….
Ron
Michelle 11.06.09 at 9:58 pm
I gave this advice to a student today! Along with the note that I’m still practicing…
Maura 11.08.09 at 7:18 am
Not to be contrary (but then my name is a form of Mary) but for me this story begs the question what are we mindful of. I personally don’t believe that anyone especially those call to the vocations of marriage and family can be fully mindful all the time. I prefer the language of presence because we are present to people were as I think of mindfulness ( probably mistakenly) as being directed towards things. Do I need to be mindful of my son’s grades? Yes as a responsible parent. But more importantly I need to be present to him to sense what he is excited about and how he is struggling so I can nurture him and help him grow.
Obviously we can’t rush haphazzardly thru life oblivious of the world around us. But we also need to avoid the trap of becoming so mindful as to be come obsessive about things. Balance & wholeness are the goal!
Michele 11.08.09 at 9:27 am
How often have I told my guys, classes I have taught and youth I work with to ‘pay attention’–usually with exclamation points and a certain lift to my voice. Yet in reminding them, I am also calling myself to attention, to mindfulness. Yesterday I was with over 700 young people from our diocese at a youth rally. Jesse Manibusan called them to mindfulness; Fr. Seamus introduced them to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, to mindfulness of Christ’s love given to us; and Fr. Augustino reminded them of Christ’s love for them–the image I paid attention to was the connection between the transformation that Christ works on his followers and what happens in ‘Pimp My Ride’–truly finding God in all things.
Paul 11.08.09 at 11:19 am
Marg,
As you say, “Why is it so hard.” I keep telling people that we’re supposed to drink several glasses of water a day and I can’t even do something as simple as that… what chance does mindfulness have? But we can at least try.
Paul
Paul 11.08.09 at 11:20 am
Ron,
Retired or not, mindfulness (of God and self) is a constant challenge. Difficult, but not impossible. Challenging, but worth our perseverance.
Paul
Paul 11.08.09 at 11:22 am
Michelle,
I’m glad you can give advice like that to your students. Mine would have looked at me as if I’d grown a second head.
Paul
Paul 11.08.09 at 11:25 am
Maura,
While I accept that there are real differences between the concepts of mindfulness and presence, if we practice a little more of either (or both) we’ll be in a better place when it comes to responding to God and God’s people.
I agree with you wholeheartedly that we have to try to avoid being obsessive.
Paul
Paul 11.08.09 at 11:27 am
Michele,
Okay, you’ve gotten my full attention. Please tell me more about “the transformation that Christ works on his followers and what happens in ‘Pimp My Ride’–truly finding God in all things.”
Paul
Maura 11.08.09 at 1:57 pm
I was thinking about it more on the way to work this morning and thinking that mindfulness reminds me of Sherlock Holmes and presence of Miss Marple. They both have to approach the mystery but they each have very different paths in coming there. I guess I just take it for granted that there is more than one way to get were we all want to be.
For me if it is too easy to become too mired in the “mindfulness” of detailed things and miss being present to the people God has put into my path for a reason. I know I could easily be come obcessed in the perfect preparation of the meal and miss the company which is why I try to place my focus on presence.
Ron 11.09.09 at 8:55 am
Good Morning Father Paul,
“Difficult, but not impossible.” you said to me and in that statement I found comfort, encouragement and a direction to follow up on.
I deleted my Live Space and my WordPress Blog this morning. They were a “distraction” to me and I believe there are others out there, right here, such as yourself and company who are better positioned to write for others. I also deleted many email contact addresses.
As I delve further into Ignation resources and attempt once again to climb that “seven story mountain, ” which I fell off of years ago, I feel inclined to simplify my life and to ensure that my feet are planted firmly on the ground so that my head does no further ascents into the clouds of self-absorption.
Thank you for the encouragement Father Paul.
On the wings of a song and a prayer,
Ron
Marg 11.09.09 at 11:00 am
Just one more thought. To me mindfulness is being present for your life. It is really listening to another’s story. It is paying attention for right now. Whether it’s cleaning or playing with your kids. Be there. Don’t let your mind roam to the past or race through a to-do list for tomorrow . This world where multitasking is a considered a necessity doesn’t understand that concept.
Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised. The present is your life in full living color. Don’t miss it.
M.
Paul 11.10.09 at 10:38 am
Maura,
What an amazing insight — to compare mindfulness to Sherlock Holmes and presence to Miss Marple. You have overturned my categories and given me to see with fresh eyes. Thank you.
Paul
Paul 11.10.09 at 10:39 am
Ron,
Above all, be kind to yourself. Act gently towards yourself and others. Be careful about burning bridges you may want to cross again later.
Paul
Paul 11.10.09 at 10:40 am
Marg,
You’re right on. Multi-tasking and mindfulness do not mix well!
Paul
Ron Montpetit 11.10.09 at 12:45 pm
Dear Father Paul,
Thank you again. I will give careful consideration to what you said.
Any bridges I may have “deleted, are bridges I can re-activate,
I am surprised with your comment and need time to absorb what you say.
Have a very good day.
Ron