A Zen Proverb About Change

Change how you see and see how you change.

A Zen Proverb

This Too Shall Pass - A Guest Post by Errol Clark Halkett

FOUR WORDS

A king called all of his wise men and counsellors together for a

meeting.  He addressed them and said, "I want you to go and

think, read, and research.  Consult the wisest and most learned

men in the land.  Spare no expense."

"I want you to find the ONE statement that will get me through

all situations in life.  Whether I am on top of the world or in

the pits, find that statement."

"I don't want to learn long and complicated philosophies.

I want one simple statement.  Find it or write it; I don't care,

just bring me the statement."

The men left and consulted for months.

They finally returned and handed the King a scroll.

The King unrolled the scroll.  On it was written four words.

"THIS TOO SHALL PASS"

That was it.

The wise men explained.

When you are on top of the world, that is but a fleeting

moment, things change, always remember, this too shall pass.

When you are in the pits, all nights are followed by day, at

your lowest moments remember also, this too shall pass.

All external circumstances and material things change.

No matter what your circumstances, remember,

THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

The wise men reminded the great King that this would get him

through his earthly things but the truly wise knew there were

things beyond this earth and life. . .

Things that were eternal.

True wisdom they reminded the King was in the ability to

recognize the fleeting temporal things of the material world

from the truly eternal things.

O Great King they said, "Most of the things that you worry or

gloat about are temporary and our four words apply."

For most of your situations. . .

THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

From a collection of writings by Errol Clark Halkett

How Forests Heal People - A Video Nature Documentary

Youtube link:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-wHq6yY2CI


"The forest is a being of great kindness and benevolence.   It offers shade to all, even the timber cutter."

Kotama

Seek First Self - A Quotation by M.N. Hopkins

Seek first yourSelf, then seek to join self with Self to bridge the gap between Heaven and Earth.

©   M.N. Hopkins

To read more of my quotations, please click on the link below:

Quotations by M.N. Hopkins

Death Has Nothing To Do With Going Away - The Wisdom Of Rumi

Jelaluddin Rumi, the 13th century mystic poet, was truly one of the most passionate and profound poets in history.  Now, today his presence still remains strong, due in part to how his words seem to drip of the divine, and startle a profound remembrance that links all back to the Soul-Essence.  

Born in what is present day Afghanistan in 1207, he produced his master work the Masnawi which consists of over 60,000 poems before he died in 1273.  The best way to fully say in words his impact, is that he has the ability to describe the Indescribable, Ineffable-- God.

The Kingdom - A Guest Post by Sir Albert Holmes

The Giver Or The Taker: Five Variations Of The Same Theme - Five Poems by M.N. Hopkins

Version # 1 

Now, which shall you be?

The giver or the taker

The wise one, said both

©  2019    M.N. Hopkins

Version # 2

Now, which shall you be?

The giver or the taker

Wisdom dictates both

©  2019    M.N. Hopkins

Version  # 3

Now, which shall you be?

The giver or the taker

Only you can choose

©  2019    M.N. Hopkins

Version # 4


Now,  which shall you be?

The giver or the taker

Freedom dictates choice

©  2019    M.N. Hopkins

Version # 5

Now, which shall you be?

The giver or the taker

Two sides of one coin

©  2019    M.N. Hopkins

Note:  In this poem the first line of it just popped into my head yesterday evening and the second and third  lines I constructed to fit the first over 2 days.    I usually pick one version and discard the rest.  This time I decided to publish five different haiku poems with the same theme just slightly different wording.  I will ask you to pick the poem you think is best.  You can tell me which one in the comment section with a number, 1 to 5 if you would be so kind and are willing to do so.  I published all five poems on my blog today for the first time on the 12th of August,  2019.

If you liked these poem and would like to read more of my poetry,  please click upon the link provided below:

Poetry by M.N. Hopkins