Mori the Student

Everything, as it should be

A young guy named Mori went to Japan, to one of the temples around Kyoto, with the intention of learning meditation. He brings along an interpreter, gains permission to join the class of a Zen master and begins lessons. The master neither encourages nor discourages the presence of the interpreter.

A couple of weeks go by. Rising early, Mori attends daily meditation sessions, joins the communal meals, helps with cleaning tasks and other duties, same as everyone else at the temple, who were mostly novice monks. All the while, the interpreter explains things and relays instructions to Mori, who believes he is doing well and is on his way to becoming an adept meditator.

Then, unexpectedly, the interpreter falls ill and is taken away to another part of the compound. Young Mori is left in a quandary, thinking if he is not able to understand the Zen master’s instructions, he will need to stop.

At the next class, the master, using hand gestures, sends him to his usual position – to his meditation pillow – and continues as usual. A brief discourse is given followed by chanting and meditation. Mori does not understand a thing. But he observes. Listens. Really observes. And follows. The meditation and teaching session ends with the student not understanding a word of the language but somehow, getting bits and pieces of the lesson.

This continues for another week. And another. Mori learns a few basic phrases which he uses outside class but most of his time is spent observing and listening and following, silently. Sometimes he made mistakes. Did the wrong thing at the wrong time. Sometimes he was too fast, as he anticipated the next step. But he learns to follow eventually. He learns to do things unhurriedly, because it was not possible for him to hurry. He learns to ignore everything that isn’t important. And once a lesson is done, he has to drop it in order to move to the next one, just to keep up. There is very little to interpret or listen to, but much to simply observe and follow. Living moment by moment, his focus deliberately employed thus, he spends a long time at the temple.

Along the way, he had gone looking for his interpreter several times in the other compounds of the temple. He tried unsuccessfully to make contact with the latter. He eventually learnt that the interpreter had recovered from his food poisoning and left the temple shortly after the incident.

Several years later, Mori leaves the temple, having achieved his aim of learning Zen meditation.

Several more years later, he is back in his home country, far away from Japan, and as he sometimes does, was giving part time meditation classes for beginners. A Japanese couple came to attend Mori’s class. They didn’t speak English and so brought along an interpreter. Would you believe it? It turned out to be the same interpreter who had gone with young Mori to the temple in Kyoto.

Both Mori and the interpreter embraced warmly and moved away from the main meditation area to speak. They were glad to see one another after their abrupt separation in Japan all those years ago. The interpreter was pleased to see that Mori had persevered until his training was completed, although in fact, one remains a lifelong student upon embarking on the journey of Zen meditation. Mori asked the question that he had put aside all these years.

What had happened at the temple? Did the interpreter suffer from food poisoning? Why did he not at least come and see him and let him know before going away?

The interpreter smiled.

‘Were you poisoned by the food given by the monks? We all ate the same food at the same time in the mess hall. I don’t remember anyone else being affected.

‘There was no food poisoning,’ answered the interpreter, happy to see no trace of anger in Mori’s eyes.

‘Did they ask you to leave?’

‘Not exactly,’ said the interpreter as he shook his head.

‘What if I had quit the classes after you left?’ Mori asked.

‘After two weeks, I could see as well as the master that you were not going to truly benefit from the lessons as long as I remained there. Everything at the temple – from the instructions to the explanation for the diet, answers to your questions about the customs and significance of things – was reaching you through me. I was a filter that distorted the message, no matter how sincere my intention was or how perfectly I did my task. The message you were receiving was no longer pure. So the master and I spoke and we agreed that the best course was for me to leave and allow you to process the entire experience as a student by yourself, in your own way and at your own pace.’

Both men remained side by side.

‘What if I had quit the classes after you left?’ Mori asked, after a moment of silence.

‘Then you wouldn’t have been the right student for the meditation anyway’, came the ready reply.

A pair of smiles appeared on their faces. Of course. Everything, as it should be.

photo from unsplash.com by Agathe Marthy

582 thoughts on “Mori the Student”

  50. I’m interested in ivermectin adc “After the judiciary panel reviewed footage as well as reports from medical staff and match officials, it found Watts guilty of Contrary Conduct,” Gold Coast Rugby League said in a statement on Wednesday.

    Reply

  72. What i do not understood is in truth how you are no longer actually a lot more smartly-liked than you might be now. You’re so intelligent. You recognize therefore significantly in the case of this subject, made me in my view believe it from numerous varied angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be involved except it is one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. At all times maintain it up!

    Reply

  87. You can definitely see your expertise in the work you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.

    Reply

  102. hello there and thanks for your info ? I?ve definitely picked up something new from right here. I did on the other hand experience a few technical points the usage of this website, as I experienced to reload the website many occasions prior to I may get it to load correctly. I had been puzzling over in case your web host is OK? Not that I’m complaining, however sluggish loading circumstances occasions will very frequently impact your placement in google and could injury your high quality score if advertising and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Well I?m including this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of your respective exciting content. Ensure that you update this again soon..

    Reply

  255. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

    Reply

  475. Fitspresso is a brand-new natural weight loss aid designed to work on the root cause of excess and unexplained weight gain. The supplement uses an advanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support healthy weight loss by targeting the fat cells’ circadian rhythm

    Reply

  478. Fitspresso is a brand-new natural weight loss aid designed to work on the root cause of excess and unexplained weight gain. The supplement uses an advanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support healthy weight loss by targeting the fat cells’ circadian rhythm

    Reply

  483. Hello There. I discovered your blog using msn. This is a very smartly written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.

    Reply

  485. Fitspresso is a brand-new natural weight loss aid designed to work on the root cause of excess and unexplained weight gain. The supplement uses an advanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support healthy weight loss by targeting the fat cells’ circadian rhythm

    Reply

  486. Unlock the potential of your pineal gland with the potent Pineal XT Dietary supplements serve as a gateway to expanding one’s range of expression, and Pineal gland support supplements, in particular, can elevate mental and spiritual capabilities. Pineal XT vitamins offer a pathway to endless joy, prosperity, health, and love. These supplements are designed to bolster the pineal gland’s function, enhance overall body performance, and boost energy levels. It stands as a premier alternative for reducing the impact of fluoride, pollutants, and the natural aging process.

    Reply

  490. I do agree with all the ideas you have offered for your post. They are very convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are very brief for newbies. May you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.

    Reply

  505. It iss appropriat timme tto make some plan foor thee futjre aand it
    iis tiome to bbe happy. I’ve red this post andd iff I could I wannt too suggest you some interesting thiongs orr advice.
    Perhqps yyou ould wrrite nect articles referring to this article.

    I wish tto rrad eveen more thints aabout it!

    Reply

  518. Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Thank you!

    Reply

  528. Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

    Reply

  529. It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read even more things about it!

    Reply

  530. Good day! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same topics? Thanks for your time!

    Reply

  532. I’ve learn a few good stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you place to create any such great informative website.

    Reply

  534. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

    Reply

  537. fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I am sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!

    Reply

  538. It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!

    Reply

  539. of course like your web site however you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to tell the reality nevertheless I’ll certainly come back again.

    Reply

  540. Hello, you used to write fantastic, but the last few posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

    Reply

  541. hello!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your article on AOL? I require an expert on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Looking forward to see you.

    Reply

  545. Hey there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!

    Reply

  546. Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossips and internet and this is really frustrating. A good blog with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.

    Reply

  547. I savor, result in I found just what I used to be taking a look for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

    Reply

  549. Hey there I am so glad I found your web site, I really found you by mistake, while I was researching on Askjeeve for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome job.

    Reply

  554. Great website. Lots of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you on your effort!

    Reply

  557. I relish, result in I found just what I used to be having a look for. You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

    Reply

  558. What Is Exactly Emperor’s Vigor Tonic? Emperor’s Vigor Tonic is a clinically researched natural male health formula that contains a proprietary blend of carefully selected ingredients.

    Reply

  559. What i don’t realize is in truth how you are now not really much more well-preferred than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You already know thus significantly in relation to this matter, produced me in my opinion believe it from numerous numerous angles. Its like women and men are not fascinated until it?¦s one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. At all times deal with it up!

    Reply

  560. Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.

    Reply

  562. A lot of thanks for all of the effort on this website. My aunt take interest in getting into internet research and it’s really easy to understand why. My partner and i hear all concerning the powerful way you create precious steps through this web blog and as well invigorate participation from some others on the theme so my child is studying so much. Enjoy the remaining portion of the new year. You’re the one carrying out a stunning job.

    Reply

  564. It is in reality a great and useful piece of info. I am happy that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  565. Thanks for some other magnificent article. The place else could anyone get that type of info in such an ideal approach of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m on the look for such info.

    Reply

  567. hello there and thank you in your info – I have definitely picked up anything new from proper here. I did however expertise some technical points the usage of this website, since I experienced to reload the web site lots of occasions previous to I could get it to load properly. I were pondering if your hosting is OK? Now not that I am complaining, but slow loading circumstances instances will sometimes have an effect on your placement in google and could harm your quality ranking if ads and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Anyway I am including this RSS to my e-mail and could glance out for a lot extra of your respective interesting content. Ensure that you update this once more very soon..

    Reply

  569. I?¦ll immediately clutch your rss feed as I can not find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me know in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.

    Reply

  570. I am no longer certain where you are getting your information, but great topic. I must spend some time studying more or understanding more. Thank you for magnificent info I was searching for this info for my mission.

    Reply

  572. Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is actually frustrating. A good blog with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for keeping this web site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.

    Reply

  574. Howdy very cool web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds alsoKI’m satisfied to find so many useful information here in the publish, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

    Reply

  578. An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing somewhat analysis on this. And he in fact purchased me breakfast as a result of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you turn out to be experience, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It’s extremely helpful for me. Huge thumb up for this blog put up!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *