Rabia was a mystic in the 1st century. All these years later we really aren’t any different. Rabia was trying to show the people in the village that you have to look for a thing where it is. You’re not gonna find it looking for it where it’s not. That’s exactly what non-duality is telling …
Category Archives: Zen Stories
Rabia’s Needle
So one day Rabia was out in the Village Square. She was on her hands and knees, crawling around, gasping and crying. “Oh no! I’ve lost it! I’ve lost it!” All the village people came running to help. Obviously she was in such distress. They asked, “Rabia what’s wrong?” Rabia said, “I’ve lost my needle. …
You are You
Every one of these Zen stories point exactly to what we’re talking about in enlightenment teachings. You are trying to find yourself. The question is, “Who are you?” This one points directly at it (pun intended.) In this week’s story it’s glaringly obvious. The ten friends are in a circle counting themselves. They start around: …
Ten Friends Counting
Okay… so there were these ten friends. Way back in the land of Zen, a long time ago, before cars or anything like that. They decided to go on a journey. So they got everything they needed and off they went. They are walking along and they come up to this big river. The only …
Brain Tricks
Zen stories, and non-duality teachings, prove very quickly that you are able to stop your mind whenever you want. It’s simple. Though it seems like we have to trick ourelves. The stories, and many of the teachings, what they do is trick you into seeing nothing, or a paradox, or just straight out silliness. But …
Bodhidharma and Trust
Our story yesterday is a pretty harsh story about Bodhidharma looking for a student. I don’t really know if it’s true. It’s a story that Osho told. So who knows? This is an important story for several reasons. It’s shocking and so we remember it. The picture of that guy standing there with his hand …
Bodhidharma’s Student
Bodhidharma became enlightened in India and he wanted to teach. He wanted to show people what he had found in this new way to live that would transform life, but he couldn’t find anyone who would listen to him. Finally he goes to China thinking he might find someone there. He goes there. A long …
The Good and the Bad
Yesterdays Zen story is great for us because it’s two different things. It’s totally bull and it’s also a very wise important point. It’s total bull because, I mean, come on! In this story everything’s lost and then he looks at the ring and boom! Magically he’s saved. So you know what our our greedy …