Learning From Zen Stories 3

It Will Pass
A student went to his meditation teacher and said, "My meditation is horrible! I feel so distracted, or my legs ache, or I'm constantly falling asleep. It's just horrible!"
"It will pass," the teacher said matter-of-factly.
A week later, the student came back to his teacher. "My meditation is wonderful! I feel so aware, so peaceful, so alive! It's just wonderful!'
"It will pass," the teacher replied matter-of-factly.

Reflections From People's Comments

* "It is true that the only constant in life is change."

* "Everyone's life including their spiritual life has its ups and downs but they pass. All one can hope for when the spiritual is in a down is to keep it where it is until one can progress further."

* "The wise teacher knows that life has its own cycles. There are good days and bad days."

* "At times we feel bad and at times we feel good - that is life whether you are meditating or not."

* "Do not get caught up in the "good and bad" or any of the dualities of life because it is all temporary."

* "Even the stone at the river's edge experiences inevitable change, the warmth from the sun, the coolness of the snow, the erosion of the water. Nothing remains constant and we must always be prepared to adapt to the current conditions. "
* "In the language of the Buddha (Pali): 'Anicca, anicca, anicca.' 'Change, change, change.' At every moment there is change, there is nothing permanent, there is Nothing to hold onto. No wonder in Zen awareness is the key! Who knows what change will bring?"

* "This story demonstrates the impermanence of ALL things. Do not become attached to your bad feelings or to your good feelings for that matter. They are both equal in the fact they will both come to an end. Just experience things."