Bliss Befalls !

Anecdotes

oi-Priya Devi

By Priya Devi

Tuesday, April 13, 2010, 17:10

Effort on the spiritual path is needed for one's spiritual progress. However bliss will have to befall on one on its own. A short story illustrates the truth.

Buddha and His disciple Ananda were once walking through the woods one day during the autumn season, when the dry leaves swept the ground making a rustle.

Ananda as Buddha, “Master I would, like to ask you something which I cannot do amidst the other pupils. Have you taught everything to us or are you hiding anything by retaining something? Your words do not clarify your very bliss"

Buddha laughed and closed his hand. He held out his fist and asked, “Ananda, what do you see?"

Ananda replied, “I see your closed hand"

Buddha said “A Buddha is never like a fist" He then opened His hand and said,

“I am like an open hand. I am always open. I do not have anything to hide. I have taught all that I have to"

Ananda was persistent, “You are always peaceful and blissful. Even while you are at sleep you are so serene and calm like a lake without ripples. I try hard but I can only do a little. Soon I am exhausted"

Osho says while talking about Zen, that by trying to attain involving the mind, it is not possible to be blissful as being blissful is to be beyond the mind. Effort can do good to make oneself available for the truth. However the truth dawns unaware.