‘Pull a person out of a well’

Once a monk asked a master what the true-Self is. The master answered, “I will answer your question if you pull a person out of a hundred-foot well without using any ropes, or ladders.” The monk didn’t know what to say.

Student: “How is it possible to get the person out of a well without using anything at all?”

Master: “Why are you in the well?”

Student: “How can I get out of it?”

Master: “Your body is already out, but your clothing is caught on the edge of the well.”

Commentary:

Getting a well out of you is much more difficult than getting you out of a well.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway

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