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The Elephant and the Fly
A disciple and his teacher were walking through the forest. The
disciple was disturbed by the fact that his mind was in constant unrest.
He asked his teacher: "Why most people's minds are restless, and
only a few possess a calm mind? What can one do to still the mind?"
The teacher looked at the disciple, smiled and said:
"I will tell you a story. An elephant was standing and picking
leaves from a tree. A small fly came, flying and buzzing near his
ear. The elephant waved it away with his long ears. Then the fly
came again, and the elephant waved it away once more".
This was repeated several times. Then the elephant asked the fly:
"Why are you so restless and noisy? Why can't you stay for a
while in one place?"
The fly answered: "I am attracted to whatever I see, hear or
smell. My five senses pull me constantly in all directions and I
cannot resist them. What is your secret? How can you stay so calm
and still?"
The elephant stopped eating and said:
"My five senses do not rule my attention. Whatever I do, I get
immersed in it. Now that I am eating, I am completely immersed in
eating. In this way I can enjoy my food and chew it better. I
rule and control my attention, and not the other way around."
Upon hearing these words, the disciple's eyes opened wide and a
smile appeared on his face. He looked at his teacher and said:
"I understand! If my five senses are in control of my mind and
attention, then my mind is in constant unrest. If I am in charge
of my five senses and attention, then my mind becomes calm".
"Yes, that's right", answered the teacher, " The mind is restless
and goes wherever the attention is. Control your attention, and
you control your mind".
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