Once upon a time, there was a Zen master named Kewani who lived in a small temple at the foot of a mountain. One day, a young man came to see him and asked, “Teacher, I have been searching for the meaning of life, but I have not been able to find it. Can you help me?”
Kewani smiled and invited the young man to join him for a walk in the gardens surrounding the temple. As they strolled among the flowers and trees, Kewani told the young man about the many things he had learned in his years as a practitioner.
“The meaning of life is not something you can find,” Kewani explained. “It’s something you create. Every moment is a new opportunity to make your life meaningful, happy, and helpful.”
The young man was confused. “But how do I create meaning?” he asked.
“It’s simple,” Kewani said with a twinkle in his eye. “Be present in every moment by looking at each of your thoughts without judgment. Be faithful to this practice and your life will be filled with integrity, compassion, and purpose.”
The young man was struck by Kewani’s words, realizing he had been searching in all the wrong places. He thanked the master for his wisdom and promised to maintain a steadfast existence from that day forward.
The young man lived just such a life, always remembering the words of Kewani, the great Teacher of Peace.
Over the years, Kewani taught many other students, helping each discover their innermost truth. From such a state of introspective stillness, the experience is perfectly exemplified by these lovely lines from A Course in Miracles:
Their world reflects the quietness and peace that shines in them; the gentleness and innocence they see surrounding them; the joy with which they look out from the endless wells of joy within. (W-pI.189.4)
Endless wells of joy within!
This is the condition toward which Kewani guided his students. The making of meaning within a muddled mind.
Join me in Thursday’s class where we’ll explore the purpose of everything, and practices we can apply to meet with beatific bliss. I look forward to seeing you then.