Dogo had a disciple called Soshin. Soshin waited long with his Master to be taught the art of meditation. He expected lessons the way a schoolboy is taught at school, but there were no special lessons coming, and this bewildered and disappointed the disciple.
One day he said to the Master: It is a long time since I came here but not a word has been given to me regarding the essence of meditation.
Dogo laughed at this heartily and said: What are you saying, my boy? Since your arrival I have ever been giving you lessons on the matter!
At this the poor disciple was even more bewildered and for some time he could not think what to say.
Then one day he gathered courage and asked again: What kind of lesson could it have been, sir?
Dogo said: When you bring me a cup of tea in the morning, I take it; when you serve me a meal, I accept it and when you bow to me I return it with a nod. How else do you expect to be taught in meditation?
Soshin hung his head and began to think about the puzzling words of the Master,
But at this the Master said again: If you want to see, SEE, RIGHT AT ONCE, because when you begin to think you miss the point altogether.
Meditation cannot be taught directly because it is not a mechanical technique, but a living art.
One day he said to the Master: It is a long time since I came here but not a word has been given to me regarding the essence of meditation.
Dogo laughed at this heartily and said: What are you saying, my boy? Since your arrival I have ever been giving you lessons on the matter!
At this the poor disciple was even more bewildered and for some time he could not think what to say.
Then one day he gathered courage and asked again: What kind of lesson could it have been, sir?
Dogo said: When you bring me a cup of tea in the morning, I take it; when you serve me a meal, I accept it and when you bow to me I return it with a nod. How else do you expect to be taught in meditation?
Soshin hung his head and began to think about the puzzling words of the Master,
But at this the Master said again: If you want to see, SEE, RIGHT AT ONCE, because when you begin to think you miss the point altogether.
Meditation cannot be taught directly because it is not a mechanical technique, but a living art.
