I Had a pretty miserable day yesterday out of the blue I have caught the most miserable of colds. Felt really useless yesterday no matter what I wanted to do it seemed that the only thing that I was able to do successfully was lie in bed.
Have made a real effort to start today and at least stay out of bed even if it means just sitting comfortably reading.
This reminded me of one of the first ever Zen stories I heard. I can remember being told it as if it was only yesterday. I also remember thinking about this story so many times over the days that followed and each time it spoke to me again. I share it with you.
A farmer got so old that he couldn’t work the fields anymore. So he would spend the day just sitting on the porch.
His son, still working the farm, would look up from time to time and see his father sitting there.
“He’s of no use any more,” the son thought to himself, “he doesn’t do anything!” One day the son got so frustrated by this, that he built a wood coffin, dragged it over to the porch, and told his father to get in.
Without saying anything, the father climbed inside. After closing the lid, the son dragged the coffin to the edge of the farm where there was a high cliff.
As he approached the drop, he heard a light tapping on the lid from inside the coffin. He opened it up.
Still lying there peacefully, the father looked up at his son. “I know you are going to throw me over the cliff, but before you do, may I suggest something?”
“What is it?” replied the son.
“Throw me over the cliff, if you like,” said the father, “but save this good wood coffin. Your children might need to use it.”
I could, but I will not share with you the many little messages this story gave me. You might in fact see more in it than I.
Have a good day and may you feel it was a useful one.
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