My favorite Zen story starts with a Master walking down a road, carrying a sack on his back. A local wise man recognizes that this is a Zen Master and hurries out to greet him. The Master politely responds, but he keeps walking.
Understanding that he only has a moment, the wise man says, “Please, Master, I must ask you a question. What is the realization of Zen?”
At this, the Master stops, takes the bag off his shoulder, and sets in on the ground.
Understanding this was his answer, the wise man boldly asked another question: “Then what is the activation of Zen?”
The Master bends, picks up the bag, settles it on his shoulder, and walks on.
To me, this story teaches about two powerful acts:
- Setting Down the Bag
I see the Master’s bag as a symbol of what we carry in life. Love and friendships, family and work. Being a person and interacting with people. Burdens and responsibilities.
By putting it down, the Master relieves himself of the weight of his existence, the load of living a human life. With all of this off his shoulders, he can take a break. He can remember that there is rest from toiling, there is healing for pain, and that love is the balm of attachment.
In this moment, a regular person could realize that some of the items in the bag are not really that heavy. Letting it down gives space to realize that some weight has been added, perhaps by excess worry or negative thinking.
I’d like to think that this is a moment when things can be removed from the bag. Old thought patterns, neediness and jealousy, greed and disappointment. Even crusty dreams might finally get their rest on the side of the road.
- Picking Up the Bag
The Master activates Zen by picking the bag back up. I think this represents the total acknowledgment of living and acceptance of the conditions that we live in.
Picking up the bag demonstrates that he is choosing the responsibilities and relationships he has. It shows that he wants to carry this weight, that he accepts what he chooses to carry.
Indeed, the Master and the sack are one thing, even if it can be put down.
If you’d like to read more of my philosophy, check out Tao of Thoreau.
Mark Bozeman 