Hi Peter,

thank you for your comments and contemplation about the Zen story: yes, I also feel there is a deeper message there.

The traveling monk assumed positive things about the disciple and interpreted his reactions as a sign of wisdom. He interpreted even a clenched fist as a symbol of oneness. Whereas the disciple interpreted the monk’s benevolent reactions as offense, and got angry with him.

The traveler was humbled by what he experienced as a profound insight. The disciple was inflamed by what he believed was mockery. Two egos, two illusions, one puffed up, one wounded.

Yes, perhaps we can say that the traveling monk was more open to self-reflection and used the interaction to see his own (real or perceived) limitations.

Whereas the disciple was quick to make assumptions – unfavorable assumptions – about the monk, feeling attacked and reacting with anger. He didn’t stop to self-reflect, but blamed the monk for his internal discomfort, even if the monk had no bad intention towards him.

So I see it as one party willing to self-reflect, the other not. And perhaps there is another lesson beyond that, which I believe you’re hinting at: that the monk has low self-esteem (you said: wounded). And that because of that, he saw only himself as the faulty one, the ignorant one, while not recognizing the unbalanced behavior (anger) of the disciple. So perhaps having a somewhat skewed perspective, judging himself too harshly, while overlooking the other person’s bad behavior.

Okay, perhaps I’m reading too much into it 🙂 But in any case, I find it a deep and multifaceted story (and funny too! 😊).

Thank you Thomas for sharing it, and Peter for further expanding on it! 🙏

Hi Thomas,

Sorry, for me, everything is a learning experience.

Good attitude, Thomas! We can indeed learn from everything, even the most painful experiences (although it doesn’t mean that those lessons are easy and that we aren’t suffering a great deal…).

I’ve heard of a good way to reframe our difficult experiences: instead of asking “why is this happening to me?”, to ask “why is this happening for me?”

This helps us not to stay stuck in the victim mentality, but to try to draw a lesson from it, perhaps learn something about ourselves and our own limitations, and eventually become a better (or rather, more whole, more healed) person as a result.

I am so glad you enjoyed the story.
I hope you share it with others and it brings a smile or two.

Yes, I will, it’s a good one! 👍 Thank you, Thomas!