These are Bamboos – A Zen Story

So the man trekked up the difficult mountain path, finally reached the master's hut and entered. He noticed there were many disciples there already. The master was talking to his many disciples. When he saw this man, the master asked him to come closer and asked him, "What do you want?"

The man said, "I am wandering in search of the Buddha's teachings. I have met many scholars, but nobody could fully answer my questions. I heard that you will be able to explain this better than all the others so I came to you."

"Oh! Please be seated. I will tell you after all of them leave," said the Zen master.

The man was satisfied. He concluded that this master must be really good for so many disciples to gather around him. The master spoke with each of his disciples and then sent them on their way. Finally, he came to the man and said, "Come with me!" He led the man across the slopes. After covering a certain distance, they came upon some vegetation before them. The master pointed to it and asked, "What is this?"

The man replied, "Bamboo."

The master then pointed to other bamboo shoots that were off to the side and asked, "When you look at these, what do you see?"

The man said, "That bamboo is tall. This bamboo has not yet grown up and is short."

The master said, "These are bamboos!" and started walking back to his hut.

The conclusions people draw from their five senses are predominantly in comparison with something else.

• Comparison is only needed to conduct our affairs in day-to-day life.
• Seeing things in comparison like this is not true perception .

Whether it is Buddha's teaching or the basics of Yoga, it is just about perceiving life the way it is. For this to happen, you have to move beyond what is recorded by the five senses.