Zen story - Sounds of Silence

Zen story  -  Sounds of Silence
*Zen story: Sounds of Silence*
Four monks decided to meditate silently without speaking for two weeks. By nightfall on the first day, the candle began to flicker and then went out.
The first monk said, "Oh, no! The candle is out." 
The second monk said, "Aren't we not suppose to talk?" 
The third monk said, "Why must you two break the silence?" 
The fourth monk laughed and said, "Ha! I'm the only one who didn't speak."

Meaning:
"Each monk broke the silence for a different reason. All these reasons are stumbling blocks to meditation. 

The first monk became distracted by one element of the world agni (the candle) and so lost sight of the rest. 

The second monk was more worried about rules than the meditation itself. 

The third monk let his anger rule him. 
The fourth monk was lost in his ego."

If you're used to talking, it's going to be hard to resist the temptation to talk, more so when you're with family and friends.

The 4th monk - if he had maintained silence, the other three would've  continued arguement and not noticed his effort. He believed in recognition more than effort. Many of us feel this way. If I'm doing something good and no one is noticing I might as well stop doing.The success lies in getting over this wanting to get recognised.
 It is clear from  the story that none of the monks are spiritually ready to perform the difficult silent meditation. Unfocused and easily distracted by their surroundings they all failed to reach their aim of meditating in silence for two weeks. 

Things do not always go as planned.and the path is open to its failures. But failures are the building blocks to success, So continue the effort.

Non-competitive meditation: Meditation happens when you stop competing with others.
Sit in a secluded and safe area and hear and listen to the wilderness. That's where you'll find it what you are searching for.

*It is the provence of knowledge to speak; it is the privilege of wisdom  to listen.*
- ✍️Dr Prema Pangi
source : #Zen_Story

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