Zen Story

An old zen story tells of a man whose wife, on hear deathbed, begged him never to go to another woman. a few months after her death, the man fell in love and became engage. immediately, he was haunted by his first wife’s ghost. every evening he chided him for disloyalty, describing gifts the man had given his fiancé, and repeating details from their conversation. she must be real ! at last the man visited and old zen master, who suggested, " take a handful of soybeans and demand this gold tell you how many beans you hold ". that night, when confronted with the question, the ghost disappeared without answering, and never returned. the ghost didn’t now the answer because the man didn’t now the answer. she was an illusion !

we too, can become similarly convince of the reality of things we have created in our minds, when they only ghost of our attachment, guilt and desires..

Contemplation Practice: The Purification of the Elements

Practices– Purification Breaths

This practice, commencing with a concentration on the elements earth, water, fire and air is a staple practice within the Sufi tradition. Parallels to this practice can be found in spiritual traditions throughout the world. The version described here is thought to have its roots in the Greek mystery schools, and has thus been passed down from Sufi teacher to student for thousands of years. For many the practice will have an uncanny familiarity. It leaves you with a sense of renewed energy and is an excellent daily ritual: perhaps the most balanced practice you could use. The purification with the elements begins as concentration and gradually deepens into a practice of contemplation. It is an excellent preparation for meditation. The practice is well suited to the early morning, and wonderful to do standing barefoot or sitting in contact with the earth. If doing the practice inside, stand or sit near an open window if possible.
Close the eyes. At first you will need five to ten minutes to focus on each of the four elements. After you have learned the practice, you may shorten the concentrations to five breaths for each element.
Start with some deep exhalations, pushing gently, slowly and as fully as possible, first out of the chest and then out of the abdomen. Exhale further and further, and then let your inhalation be completely natural, using no effort. A natural inhalation is very important, so that you do not strain your lungs or the muscles in your chest. Hold the breath for a moment after the inhalation. After a few rounds of exhalations and inhalations, begin with the breath of the earth element.