The Lion and the Sheep - A Zen Story by Osho

The Lion and the SheepA Zen Story

                        In the shadow of a mountain, a herd of sheep lived and grazed on the cool, green grass.  One day, close to a tall oak tree, there laid a small copper-colored lump of fur.  The ewe bent down sniffing carefully but the lump did not move.  Others began to gather around listening, curious, cautious because you never know what dangers may hurt you or the others in the herd.  The ewe tried prodding the lump with her nose but it wouldn’t move.  She could see its small chest rise with each breath, so she decided to lie down beside it to give it warmth and see if it would wake up.  Tired of standing around waiting, the rest of the sheep moved to graze on the tender grass nearby.  As night fell, the small furry bundle began to stir, the ewe licked its face and it nuzzled closer finding warm milk to drink.          Time went on and the ewe continued to take care of the foundling as part of the herd.  All the sheep could see that this animal was different.  The animal was taller than the biggest ram and her coat was the color of the warm, summer sunset rather than the clouds.  Her copper-colored face was broader and her mouth was filled with big, sharp teeth.  But she went along with the herd up the mountain paths, drank out of the streams and nibbled the grasses like all good sheep.          She was a lion.  But living her life among sheep, she only knew sheep. The sheep never having seen a lion, did not know she was a lion.  They all lived together in the same meadow eating, sleeping and moving as a herd.  She became very good at spotting dangerous animals, so she guarded the herd at night and moved in front of the herd during the day.          Until one day, on the meadow, a sound rang out and the herd ran together for safety, except the copper-colored female. She stopped and turned toward the noise.  Around the tree, came the largest beast they had ever seen.  The herd bunched closer.  Out in front, she moved toward the strange beast.  The ewe bleated out to warn her but she kept going, stopping inches away.  A quiver ran through the herd.  The copper one looked at the beast unafraid.  The beast saw itself in the other and nodding its head went to the stream.  She followed.  As the strange beast bent down to drink, she saw her own reflection and looking over saw the face of the beast in the still water.  The images looked alike.  Shocked, she drew back from the edge of the water and toward the herd.  But the big beast stepped into her path blocking her way.          The beast roared and as the other sheep backed further away in fear, she nodded in understanding.  She listened to the stranger’s message, where the others heard only terrifying noise.          The stranger said, “Don’t run away from who you are.  You may have grown up here with a herd of sheep, but you have grown into a beautiful lion.  Lions are strong, independent and brave.  There are many more things that you can do, places you can go and other animals than the sheep and this safe, green meadow.  Come with me.”          She had always known she was different from the sheep.   But she had grown up living a sheep’s life.  She liked the cozy security of the herd but not the grass.  She liked moving about the mountain but she would like to see higher, go farther and sometimes the calls on the wind stirred restlessness inside her she did not understand.  Now she could see her true self for the first time reflected in the eyes of the lion.  For the first time in her life, she was not different but part of another family, one that she has yet to discover.  She had a choice, stay with the safety of what she had been taught with the herd or honour her true self and strike out with a stranger into a new world.          The ewe stepped forward and said to her, “Many years ago, I found you dying under a bush and I could not let you starve to death.  So, I nursed you and kept you warm in the safety of the herd. Now it is time for you to go your own way. Make your life your own; your own choices not those of the herd.  You've always helped done your part here.  Now you must do your part out there.  I knew this time would come and now that it has, I can say that I’m proud of you and I know you have everything you’ll need right there inside of you.  Use it well.”          The Lioness stepped up, gently nuzzled the ewe’s muzzle and bowed her head to the herd.  Then she turned to the lion and they moved off toward the mountains sniffing the wind.

"Me" Day Declaration

Everyone should have a "me" day at least once a week. It could be a moments of silence, solitude, creativity, meditating, abstinence from technology or sensory stimuli. How can you give to others when you've not given to yourself? A "me" day is time to connect to whats really important. "Me" day is about slowing down so you can feel the breeze and salute the sun. A time to let go of the illusion that you are the general manager of the universe. A time to meet yourself. Evidentially your "me" day will grow you into your Supreme Self. Experience yourSelf. Experience Àse Yoga..

Bad Luck vs Good Luck?

                        When ever something happens good to us, we feel good, and think little about it. In fact, often we don't even express an appreciation for the good things that happen in our life. But let something unpleasant happen, and we're quick to blame it on "bad luck" Some people go as far as to say" nothing good ever happens for them." They moan and groan about how nothing ever goes right for them. They began to inflict wounds on their self-esteem. In essence, they become a victim by something that happens to all of us. Say your electric gets turn off. You could either groan and moan or realize you didn't pay the bill and accept the consequence. Same with getting your car booted for unpaid tickets. This isn't bad luck or good luck, this has more to do with the choices we make in life. One of the hardest things for us to do is to accept our responsibility for what goes on in our life. Personal responsibility for eating out and not having money to pay our bills, staying up late, and being tired, texting and having an accident is difficult. The ego just won't allow us to accept that responsibility so we place it on this abstract concept of bad luck good luck. Something is always happening to each one of us, the key is to learn from our experiences, rather than project it outward. Learn the lessons, and life will change. Experience Ase Yoga.

Reading does the brain good...

Reading is good for your health. Books can change your life. When you read, you travel, first class worldwide. And yet, reading is not a given, it's a gift. Unfortunately, so many forces pull us away from reading. And what's even sadder, many of us were not taught how to read, and do not enjoy reading. Reading, however, can enhance the function of our brain. Brain-healthy lifestyle may be able to prevent Alzheimer's and dementia. Reading is good for the brain. Àse Yoga is launching a Book Club and Tea to en-lighten the mind beginning September 21, 2014 at 12:00pm at the Àse Yoga studio.. Please join us in becoming a brain healthy community. Lets converse about what we read. Lets resurrect libraries in our home. Lets take care of our brain. Experience Àse Yoga.

Real Food Nourish The Body

The Art of Feeling Good is about being physically and psychologically healthy. Healthiness is a personal responsibility. No one can force you to be healthy. Our medical system is not a health or wellness system. When you observe family and friends eating fake foods, processed,refined and chemically altered foods, its like watching someone commit suicide. Although nature provides us with food to eat, we've opted for white bread, donuts, bagels, pizzas, crackers cookies, pasta. All refined carbohydrates. White sugar, high fructose corn syrup and refined white flour do not provide us with the essential nutrients to feel good. Too many reasons to count exist why we insist on this form of suicide. One that stands out though is emotional. We do what our peers do. If they eat unhealthy, than we will to. Anger also contributes to eating unhealthy. But we will, in the end, pay the price, for eating phony foods. What's the point in spending money on your hair, and ignoring your health? or putting hundred of dollars for designer nails, yet you cholesterol is over 200? Buying clothes, creating or perhaps even looking, when you're killing yourself by the way you eat. Why aspire, if you're cutting your life short because of self-imposed undernourishment? Commit to whole food eating. Today, feel good shedding those extra pounds,and nourishing your internal organs. Save your life. Experience Àse Yoga.www.thepowerofaseyoga.net