A Teaching on Heaven and Hell

  
The old monk sat by the side of the road.  With his eyes closed, his legs crossed and his hands folded in his lap, he sat.  In deep meditation, he sat.  Suddenly his meditation was interrupted by the harsh and demanding voice of a samurai warrior.  "Old man!  Teach me about heaven and hell!"

At first, as though he had not heard, there was no perceptible response from the monk.  But gradually he began to open his eyes, the faintest hint of a smile playing around the corners of his mouth as the samurai stood there, waiting impatiently, growing more and more agitated with each passing second.

"You wish to know the secrets of heaven and hell?" replied the monk at last.  "You who are so unkempt.  You whose hands and feet are covered with dirt.  You whose hair is uncombed, whose breath is foul, whose sword is all rusty and neglected.  You who are ugly and whose mother dresses you funny.  You would ask me of heaven and hell?"

The samurai uttered a vile curse.  He drew his sword and raised it high above his head.  His face turned to crimson and the veins on his neck stood out in bold relief as he prepared to sever the monk's head from its shoulders.

"That is hell," said the old monk gently, just as the sword began its descent.

In that fraction of a second, the samurai was overcome with amazement, awe, compassion and love for this gentle being who had dared to risk his very life to give him such a teaching.  He stopped his sword in mid-flight and his eyes filled with grateful tears.

"And that," said the monk, "is heaven."

  


 
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Yes, life can be mysterious and confusing--but there's much of life that's actually rather dependable and reliable.  Some principles apply to life in so many different contexts that they can truly be called universal--and learning what they are and how to approach them and use them can teach us some of the most important lessons that we've ever learned.
My doctorate is in Teaching and Learning.  I use it a lot when I teach at school, but I also do my best to apply what I've learned to the life I'm living, and to observe how others live their lives.  What makes them happy or unhappy, stressed or peaceful, selfish or generous, compassionate or arrogant?  In this book, I've done my best to pass on to you what I've learned from people in my life, writers whose works I've read, and stories that I've heard.  Perhaps these principles can be a positive part of your life, too!
Universal Principles of Living Life Fully.  Awareness of these principles can explain a lot and take much of the frustration out of the lives we lead.