volcano on the balcony!

Paulo Coelho short stories Part 2

Donkey dies of exhaustion

Nasrudin decided to go in search of some new meditation techniques. He saddled his donkey, went to India, China and Mongolia, talked to the great masters, but found nothing.

He heard tell of a wise man in Nepal: he journeyed there, but as he was climbing the mountain to meet him, his donkey died of exhaustion. Nasrudin buried him there and then, and wept sadly. Someone passed by and commented:

"You came in search of a saint, this must be his tomb and you are lamenting his death."

"No, this is the place where I buried my donkey, who died of exhaustion."

"I don't believe it," said the new arrival. "No one weeps over a dead donkey. This must be a place where miracles occur, and you want to keep them for yourself."

Although Nasrudin explained again and again, it was no use. The man went to the next village and spread the story of a great master who cured people at his tomb, and soon the pilgrims began to arrive.

Gradually, news of the discovery of the Wise Man of Silent Mourning spread throughout Nepal - and crowds rushed to the place. A wealthy man came, thought his prayers had been answered, and built an imposing monument where Nasrudin had buried his 'master.'

In view of everything, Nasrudin decided to leave things as they were. But he learned once and for all, that when someone wants to believe a lie, no one can convince them otherwise.

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Each to his own destiny

A Samurai who was known for his nobility and honesty, went to visit a Zen monk to ask advice. However, the moment he entered the temple where the master was praying, he felt inferior and concluded that, in spite of having fought for justice and peace all his life, he hadn't even come near the state of grace achieved by the man before him.

"Why do I feel so inferior?" he asked, as soon as the monk finished his prayers. "I have faced death many times, have defended those who are weak, I know I have nothing to be ashamed of. Nevertheless, upon seeing you meditating, I have felt that my life had absolutely no importance whatsoever."

"Wait. Once I have attended to all those who come to see me today, I shall answer you."

The samurai spent the whole day sitting in the temple gardens, watching the people go in and out in search of advice. He saw how the monk received them all with the same patience and the same illuminated smile on his face. But his enthusiasm soon began to wane, since he had been born to act, not to wait.

At nightfall, when everyone had gone, he demanded: "Now can you teach me?"

The master invited him and lead him to to his room. The full moon shone in the sky, and the atmosphere was one of profound tranquility.

"Do you see the moon, how beautiful it is? It will cross the entire firmament, and tomorrow the sun will shine once again. But sunlight is much brighter, and can show the details of the landscape around us: trees, mountains, clouds. I have contemplated the two for years, and have never heard the moon say: why do I not shine like the sun? Is it because I am inferior?"

"Of course not," answered the samurai. "The moon and the sun are different things, each has its own beauty. You cannot compare the two."

"So you know the answer. We are two different people, each fighting in his own way for that which he believes, and making it possible to make the world a different place; the rest are mere appearances."

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Fetch another sort of doctor

A powerful monarch called a holy father - everyone said he had healing powers - to help him with his backache.

"God will help us," said the holy man. "But first let us understand the reason for these pains. I suggest Your majesty confesses now, for confession makes men face up to their problems, and liberates much guilt."

Annoyed at having to think about so many problems, the king said:

"I do not wish to speak of these matters; I need someone who heals without asking questions."

The priest went off and returned half an hour later with another man.

"I believe that words relieve pain, and help me to discover the right path to a cure," he said. "But you do not wish to talk, and I cannot help you. Here is the man you need:

"My friend here is a veterinarian, and does not generally speak to his patients."

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Forgiving

The abbot asked his favorite pupil how his spiritual progress was coming along. The pupil answered that he was managing to dedicate to God each and every moment of the day.

"Then all that's left now is to forgive your enemies."

The young man was shocked:

"But I'm not angry at my enemies!"

"Do you think God is angry at you?"

"Of course not!"

"And even so you ask Him to forgive you, don't you? Do the same with your enemies, even though you don't feel hatred for them. Those who practice forgiveness wash and perfume their own hearts."

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Heaven and Hell

A violent samurai who was known for picking fights for no reason at all arrived at the door of a Zen monastery and asked to speak to the master.

Without a moment's hesitation, Ryokan came out to meet him.

"They say that intelligence is more powerful than strength," said the samurai. "I wonder if you could explain to me the meaning of heaven and hell."

Ryokan remained silent.

"You see," roared the samurai, "I could explain that very easily: to show what hell is, all I need to do is beat someone up. To show what heaven is, just let a person go free after menacing him a lot."

"I don't argue with stupid people like you," said the Zen master.

This made the samurai's blood boil. His mind was filled with hatred.

"Now, that is hell," said Ryokan, smiling. "Letting yourself be angered by silly things."

The monk's courage disconcerted the warrior, and he relaxed.

"And that is heaven," added Ryokan, inviting him in. "Not reacting to silly provocations."

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It all seems so obvious

Rabbi Ben Zoma was asked:

"Who is wise?"

"He who always finds something to learn from others," said the Rabbi.

"Who is strong?"

"The man who is capable of dominating himself," responded the Rabbi.

"Who is wealthy?"

"He who knows the treasure he has: his days and hours of life, which can change everything which goes on around him."

"Who deserves respect?"

"He who respects himself and his neighbor."

"These things are all so obvious," commented one of those present. The Rabbi concluded by saying:

"That is why they are so difficult to observe."

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John and the visions of hell

"Perhaps Jesus sent some of His apostles to Hell to save souls," said John. "Even in the worst of torments, not all is lost."

The idea surprises me. We are chatting in one of the few bars in Los Angeles. John is a firefighter, and today is his day off.

"Why do you say that?" I ask.

"Because I have experienced the same torment here on earth. I enter buildings in flames, see desperate people trying to get out and have often risked my life to save them. I am just a particle in this immense universe, forced to act like a hero in the middle of fire and despair. If I, who am no one of importance, can manage to act in this way, imagine what Jesus can do! For sure, some of His apostles are infiltrated in Hell, saving souls."

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Knowing how to listen to insults

In a kingdom of Arabia lived a queen called Layla. Her wisdom illuminated the kingdom like the sun, her beauty blinded men, and her wealth was greater than any of her subjects.

One morning, her chief advisor asked to see her, and said:

"Great queen Layla! You are the wisest, most beautiful and wealthiest woman in the world. But I have heard unpleasant things; some people laugh at or complain at about your decisions. Why, in spite of all you have done for your subjects, are they still not content?"

The queen laughed and replied:

"Loyal advisor, you know how much I have done for my kingdom. Seven regions are under my control, and all of them have enjoyed peace and prosperity. In all the towns, the decisions of my court are just and inspired.

"I can do almost everything I wish. I can order the frontiers to be closed, the gates of the palace to be locked, the treasury coffers sealed indefinitely.

"But there is one thing I cannot do: make the people shut their mouths. It matters not what false things people say; the important thing is to continue to do that which I consider to be true."

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Thursday, June 30, 2011

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Paulo Coelho short stories Part 2

Thursday, June 30, 2011

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