A Preacher wanted to raise money for his church and, being told there were fortunes in race horses, he decided to purchase one and enter it in the races. However, at the local auction, the going price for horses was so steep he ended up buying a donkey instead. He figured that since hehad it, he might as well go ahead and enter it in the races, and to his surprise the donkey came in third.
The next day the racing sheets carried the headlines: "Preacher's Ass shows".
The Preacher was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the races again and this time he won.
The papers said: "Preacher's Ass out in Front"
The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the Preacher not to enter the donkey in another race.
The newspaper printed this headline: "Bishop Scratches Preacher's Ass".
This was just too much for the Bishop and he ordered the Preacher to get rid of the animal. The Preacher decided to give it to a nun in a nearby convent.
The headlines the next day read, "Nun has the Best Ass in Town."
The Bishop fainted. He informed the nun that she would have to dispose of the donkey and she finally found a farmer who was willing to buy it for $10.00.
The paper stated: "Nun Peddles Ass for Ten Bucks"
They buried the Bishop the next day.
The best part of any vigorous activity -- be it cycling, running, swimming, or playing any sport is that you are not dead anymore but alert to everything that is going on around you. That is because the vigorous activity gives you a sense of agility and athleticism. And you don't keep up a pretence and smile to yourself when you listen to something that is hilarious, but burst out in peals of laughter. You are not you anymore but a ball of energy 24x7.
Went on the regular spiritual triathlon to the green lungs of the city -- the Osho Teerth Park, and came back after a long 15 mile ride for a one-hour session of meditation. The more I run and bike, the more my meditation runs deep and silent. And the more the meditation runs deep, the more I am able to run and bike. Apart from commuting to work and going on errands, I go on 10 mile bike rides in the evening too unless I am caught up in work. So yesterday, once again, I went on a long journey to the outskirts of the city to freshen up my lungs and fill them up with a burst of oxygen. Had great fun.
My mission
To jog-bicycle around the world, climb the mountains, swim the seas and soar the skies. Since they are not remotely possible, I settled for a daily dose of spiritual triathlon -- jogging, cycling and meditation -- necessarily in that order. My idea of a spiritual triathlon is 10 miles of jogging and 10 miles of cycling followed by an hour of meditation. I sincerely feel that not less than a spiritual marathon can tame the mind and mould it the way you want it to. So go ahead and have fun taking a dekko at my spiritual athleticism. But don't forget to drop in a word or two on how you feel about my blog and my way of life. Your advice is always valuable to go that extra length to the Garden of Eden
Food for cycling thought
A Zen Teacher saw five of his students return from the market, riding their bicycles. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, "Why are you riding your bicycles?"
The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the student, saying, "You are a smart boy. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over, as I do."
The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path." The teacher commended the student, "Your eyes are open and you see the world."
The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant, nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel."
The fourth student answered, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all beings." The teacher was pleased and said, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming."
The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle." The teacher went and sat at the feet of the fifth student, and said, "I am your disciple."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment