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THE DYNAMICS OF MEDITATION
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Once a man became angry at the Buddha because his son had decided to leave the family business and live a spiritual life. He went to the spot where Buddha was seated quietly in meditation and began screaming at him. The more he shouted the more angry the poor man became, until he had abused the Master for more than an hour. Finally the man became exhausted and fell silent. Then the Buddha calmly replied, “If a man came to you and offered you a bucket filled with jagged rocks, would you want them?" The man shook his head, a puzzled look spreading over his face. Then the Master continued, “And if he tried to give them to you anyway, would you take them?" Again the man, shook his head. “Then where would the sharpedged stones remain?" asked the Buddha. “With the fool who brought them to me," answered the man, indignant at being asked such a simple question. The Buddha then said, “That is what has just occurred, my friend. You have brought me your cutting angry words, but I do not want them and so I have not accepted what you offered. Now they remain with the person who brought them."
This kind of awareness is the real achievement. Outer achievements are only ephemeral. Our own growth in understanding and inner strength is far more rewarding than the superficial praise of passing strangers.
Techniques are like a tugboat. They take the ship out to sea and then their work is finished. The ship goes on into the deeper waters. In the same way, meditation techniques help us to go within and begin our voyage on the ocean of consciousness. If our mind is anchored by ego or we want to keep it stowed away in some safe harbor, then no technique or method will be able to launch us on our way.
