The Tiger and the Monk

The Tiger and the Monk

A monk was walking along a cliff when he slipped on the edge.  

As he fell he saw a root sticking out from the side of the cliff and grabbed it.  

While climbing back up, a tiger appeared as the root started to pull out.  

He looked down and saw a bear that had run over toward him panting heavily.

He was about to let go, committing suicide as there was nothing left to live for.

Then out of the side of his vision he saw a strawberry and remembered how much he enjoyed strawberries.  

With his free hand he slipped off his pants and let them go.  

He then climbed down the cliff and ran away, leaving the pants and a bare behind.  

Later on whenever he felt that there was nothing left to live for he ate a strawberry.

Don't let humiliation prevent you from enjoying life.

You can sit on your cushion and meditate all you want but without education you might as well rely on superstition and magic.

The story of the monk and the cliff illustrates the importance of being present in the moment and finding joy in the simple pleasures of life, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The monk could have easily given up and let go of the root, but instead he noticed the strawberry and allowed himself to experience a moment of pleasure, despite the danger he was in.

The second quote highlights the importance of education and critical thinking in spiritual practice. While meditation can be a powerful tool for cultivating mindfulness and self-awareness, it is not enough on its own. It is important to engage in learning and education to deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, and to avoid falling into superstition and dogma. By combining meditation with education, we can cultivate a more holistic and informed approach to spiritual practice.

David Reynolds