"The Art Of Presence: A Zen Master's Lesson on Presence" | Inspirational Story | Zen Wisdom |

the young boy approached the wise zen master with a troubled heart Master he said I feel lost my mind is always racing and I can never find peace the Zen master looked at the boy with kind eyes and said come walk with me they began to walk through a Serene Garden the air filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of birds singing as they walked the master picked up a small pebble and handed it to the boy hold this Pebble in your hand he instructed the boy did as he was told feeling

the smoothness of the stone against his palm now close your eyes and listen the master said softly the boy closed his eyes and listened he heard the gentle rustling of leaves the distant chirping of crickets and the soft murmur of a nearby stream can you hear the Stream the master asked the boy nodded imagine that your thoughts are like this stream the master continued they flow constantly sometimes quietly sometimes loudly but the stream does not define the garden just as your thoughts do not define you the boy opened his eyes a new understanding Dawning within

him but how do I find peace in the midst of my thoughts he asked the master smiled gently the key is to be present to fully engage with the here and now when you walk walk when you eat eat when you listen truly listen they continued their walk the boy pondering the Master's words They Came Upon a bench and sat down the master took a deep breath and exhaled slowly let us meditate he said focus on your breath feel the air as it enters and leaves your body this is the essence of presence the boy

closed his eyes again and followed the Master's instructions he felt his breath each inhale and exhale for the first time he noticed the rhythm of his own life force after some time the master spoke again presence is not about stopping your thoughts it is about observing them without attachment like clouds passing through the sky let them come and go the boy felt a sense of calm he had never experienced before he realized that his mind had been a storm of thoughts but now he could see the clear sky Beyond master I feel different the boy

said I feel peaceful the master nodded this is the art of presence it is simple yet profound it allows you to experience life fully without being caught up in the turbulence of your mind as the sun began to set casting a Golden Glow Over the Garden the boy felt a deep gratitude for the Master's wisdom he knew that this lesson would stay with him forever guiding him through the challenges of life thank you master the boy said bowing deeply the master placed a hand on the boy's shoulder remember the present moment is all we truly

have embrace it and you will find peace they stood up and continued their walk the boy now seeing the world with new eyes every step every breath every sound was a reminder of the beauty of being present and in that presence he found a profound sense of Peace this is God of motive thanks for watching and stay focused