Sensei asked all the monks to close their eyes and imagine that they had travelled to a hotel of 35 floors.
Sensei said, “Each monk will occupy one floor. When you reach your floor, you will notice 20 rooms on there. You have to take your bag to each room, and leave one item of your personal belongings in each room. After you have done this, go and sit in room no 1.
Sensei asked the monks to raise their hands when they had completed this exercise.
A few minutes later all the monks raised their hands.
Sensei said, “I’m in the lobby and I have called you in your room to meet me downstairs. We have to check out in one minute. Come down immediately. What will you do? Answer me now.”
Humble Monk almost immediately put up his hand. His eyes were gently shut. He said, “Sensei, I will run across all my rooms, pick up stuff and then rush down. I know you will wait for me.”
Angry Monk’s face was contorted. His eyes were clenched tight. He said, “Sensei, as usual, you have presented a plan to torture us. I will throw down all my stuff from the windows and meet you downstairs. Then you can wait for me to collect my stuff.”
Sensei giggled.
Thoughtful Monk raised his hands. His eyes were closed but blinking rapidly. He said, “I will just take my bag with me and meet you down. I guess I can do without my luggage, but not without you.”
Sensei clapped once.
Truthful Monk looked disturbed. His shut eyes had tears flowing from them. He raised his hand and said, “Sensei I will be paralyzed. I will not know what to do.. please help me..”
Sensei clapped twice.
After a minute of silence, Head Monk raised his hands and opened his eyes. He looked at Sensei and bowed. Then he said, “I will ask everyone here to open their eyes and check into the moment, right here, right now. Sensei is with us and we are ready for him. He can take us where he wants.”
Sensei clapped thrice and nodded. All the monks opened their eyes and looked at Sensei.
Sensei said, “As we travel through life, we check into many rooms in our minds and leave all kinds of personal things in each of them. When it comes to moving on, it becomes impossible to collect all our things and pack them to leave. We keep trying to find things, and let the opportunity pass.
The only place to live, is in the present, with your eyes open; so that you can leave, without thought or concern, in the blink of an eye.
Only live in the now, not in the past or future.”
*****