This is the story of a spiritual man who traveled throughout ancient India. When he stopped at a palace to ask for some rice the King felt compassion and not only gave him food but replaced his wooden bowl with one made of gold.

A thief saw the man with the golden bowl and followed him to a deserted cave. The man threw the bowl outside the cave and said 'Come inside and let us talk.'

The thief was astounded and could not stop himself from entering and asking 'Why have you given me such a precious thing?' The man answered 'Because I have found something more precious in meditation.'

The thief then said 'I am a thief. I have tried meditation but all the teachers I received instruction from said that I must first leave my profession. This is impossible because I am not good at doing anything else.'

The man replied 'Your teachers were incorrect. What does leaving your profession have to do with achieving the spiritual benefits of meditation? I will give you a meditational lesson more valuable than your golden bowl.'

'Continue as you have but be aware of what you are doing. When you are stealing become fully conscious of what you are doing. Do this for the next two weeks and then come and see me. Do not come back if you do not practice what I have told you.'

Within a few days the thief returned and said 'Two weeks is too long! These last few nights I have been where there was much treasure I could have stolen. I remembered your advice and followed your instruction.'

'When I became fully conscious of what I was doing I became like the Buddha statue! My feet could not walk, my hands would not move! What am I to do? You said that I would not have to give up stealing to receive the spiritual benefits of meditation but it seems I must.'

'You have given me such an instruction that if I am fully aware of what I am doing I cannot steal! When I left without stealing anything I felt so blissful, so good, so in control of myself, so close to God.'

The man replied 'You need not come back to me. Now you can choose. If you want to go on stealing then forget about meditation.'

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'The truth of reality is that there is no Past or Future, only the ever-present Now.'

'There can be no self-esteem without the self-respect that comes from having self-control.'

'The poorest education that teaches self-control is better than the richest one that teaches none.'

'We never feel as good as when we're doing all we should.'

Nice post SC Russ. Yes really if we know what we are doing we know the result that it will effect ourself and others then we behave ourselves, but on the other hands we loss our control, so we could not refrain to encroach others including ourselves.

Meditation is more than that too. It could open the other world behind, like the eyes to see past lifes and other stuff that unbelievable, so we learn ourselves the best. It also clenses the mind and be enlighten. No one can say I'm enlighten if not be successful from meditation.

Toniol,

I thank you for your reply. Yes meditation is a valuable tool if one wants to get to know themselves more fully. You sound like you speak from experience. It will be interesting for me to go back and read from your previous posts. I'm sure there are many things I can learn from you.

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'No person is so poor they cannot pay a complement.'

SC_Russ,

Thanks

And I have little more thing to say.

We are not interested to learn their mind. We are interested in what someone can do for us. Besides, there are mysteries about human mind or spiritual experiences. And They all links to our common life that we can't see how they link, what's cause what effect. Many people forget or pretend not to accept that what's affecting them is the results from what they did, so they are not interested in learning themselves.

We are interested in what will bring us food, good place to live,...and so on. So, we are mostly spending time on those things. Even there's someone offer us the way that we don't have to pay a bit out of our pocket, so we will know where we are from, and what we are really doing, and where we will go, but became like someone gave a blind person glasses.

There are wide open knowledge of nature being after the gate was open. Inside experiences are much more interesting but we care just about what's outside. That's why many people thing they are given, those given things are from someone who each one of them assumes it up. And that stuck right there, the outside stuff.

Our minds are combinded with element of seeing, element of remembering, element of thinking, and element of knowing. As long as is the dirt elements, greed, anger, and ignorance cover it, it will not be brilliant.

I have read many of your posts. What you say contains much truth. To me you have a child-like quality that is rare yet refreshing. You seem naturally drawn to believe what is true.

He have the joyful curiousity of the spiritual researcher, which I believe you are. You connect your discoveries with other principles. You see the deeper meanings to things. You question how things can benefit you in practical ways. It is safe to say that every new idea contains for you a thousand times the treasure you first suspected!

It is always a pleasure for me to gaze upon a person who is so upbeat and positive, never a cross word for anyone. Keep up the good work you do.

Allow me to share something I read recently which I believe you may find useful. It is taken from the writings of Soyen Shaku who was the first Zen teacher to come to America.

'In the morning before dressing, light incense and meditate.

Retire at a regular hour. Partake of food at regular intervals. Eat with moderation and never to the point of satisfaction.

Receive a guest with the same attitude you have when alone. When alone, maintain the same attitude you have in receiving guests.

Watch what you say, and whatever you say, practice it.

When an opportunity comes do not let it pass by, yet always think twice before acting.

Do not regret the past. Look to the future.

Have the fearless attitude of a hero and the loving heart of a child.

Upon retiring, sleep as if you had entered your last sleep. Upon awakening, leave your bed behind you instantly as if you had cast away a pair of old shoes.'

I have found that following these principles has been most beneficial. You probably already practice many of these things. I wish you continued success!

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'Unless you turn around and become as young children you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.'

Thank you very much SC Russ You are couraging me even more Anumodhana

Yes, I ENTIRELY agree with what you have said Russ. Toniol, from the moment I first met you, you struck me as a person with an innocence that was child-like..... which, as Russ said, is both rare and refreshing. And that perception has not changed and I believe it will not ever change. Your words always DEEPLY resonate with me and I believe what you say ALWAYS has much truth in it. We BOTH have much we could learn from you. I LOVE your unshakable optimism and your perenially joyful nature. Everything you say feels SINCERE to me, and I believe that's because everything you say IS sincere and straight from your heart. You are my most favourite member here BY FAR and I also think you are EASILY the most likeable person here as well. Like Russ said, you never have a bad word to say about ANYONE. Your kind-heartedness is TRULY admirable. Don't think I'm just kissing your ass here, because I mean EVERYTHING I've just said to you. Continue searching for Truth, just like I am. I believe we are walking on the same path! I always enjoy reading your posts and I look forward to more from you!