Salt and Cotton in the River

 

Nasrudin was taking a of salt to the market. His donkey waded through the river and the salt dissolved. When it reached the opposite bank the animal ran around in circles, overjoyed that its load had been lightened. nasrudin was annoyed. On the next market day he packed the panniers with cotton. The ass nearly drowned with the increased weight of the cotton soaked in river water. "There!" said Nasrudin gleefully. "That will teach you to think that each time you go through water you stand to gain!" Two persons walked into religion. One came alive, the other drowned.

Song of the Bird

The disciples were full of questions about God.

Said the master, "God is the unknown and the Unknowable.

Every statement about him, every answer to your questions, is a distortion of the truth."

the disciples were bewildered. "Then why do you speak about him at all?"

Why does the bird sing?" said the master.

Not because it has a statement, but because it has a song.

the words of the scholar are to be understood. the words of the master are not to be understood. they are to be listened to as one listens to the wind in the trees and the sound of the river and the song of the bird. they will awaken something within the heart that is beyond all knowledge.

by Anthony de Mello S.J.