Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Creativity Cleanse: Day 2 Gift

In today's reading in Ordinary Magic (edited by John Welwood), Thich Nhat Hanh tells a story about apple juice.  A little girl was given a glass of apple juice poured from the bottom of the bottle so it was cloudy with pulp.  The little girl didn't like the way it looked so she left it on the table.  Later she came back thirsty and asked for water but was told to drink her apple juice first.  The apple juice had settled and looked clear and delicious so the little girl drank it.

She said the apple juice was delicious and asked, "Was it meditating like you, Uncle Monk?"  Like the apple juice, we need time to rest and become clear.  It all seems so effortless, to simply rest, like apple juice in a glass, and let the chaos and confusion settle leaving our minds and spirits clear and calm.  

I like simple things and the image of a glass of apple juice seems like a gift I can hold onto and savor its sweetness.

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