Parable 19: Shoes and Umbrella

"Go practice for seven years," said the teacher.

The monk practiced for seven years. Then he went to see his teacher.

It was raining, and when he entered the teacher's house, he left his wet shoes and umbrella on the porch.

The teacher did not greet him. Instead, he asked, "Did you leave your shoes and umbrella on the porch?" 

"Yes," replied the monk.

"And did you place the umbrella to the left of the shoes, or to the right?"

The monk did not answer.

The monk did not know.

"Go practice for seven more years," said the teacher, smiling.

~ ~ ~

You can read this story in 108 Zen Parables and Stories by Olga Gutsol. It is traditionally told about the Zen teacher Ikkyū Sōjun; you can read more about Ikkyū at Wikipedia.

This is a very simple story, and I really like it. We practice mindfulness and awareness in my meditation group, but I'm a long way from this awareness. Although I'm practicing... practicing...

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