This Monk Gave One Final Lesson Youll Never Forget скачать в хорошем качестве

This Monk Gave One Final Lesson Youll Never Forget

Title: The Cat That Changed Everything – A Zen Story About Discipline and the Mind Once upon a time, a great monk lay on his deathbed. He called his young disciple, his chosen successor. With a faint voice, he said: “Remember one thing — never allow a cat into your life.” With those final words, the master passed away. A large crowd gathered to hear the revered monk’s last message. Everyone was puzzled. Why would a monk say something so strange? Even the young disciple was confused. “Why should I not allow a cat in my life?” The master was cremated with full rituals and honor. But the disciple couldn’t stop thinking. The words echoed in his mind: “What did the master really mean?” In the same monastery, lived an old monk — wise and observant, but not chosen due to his age and health. He noticed the young disciple’s restlessness and gently asked: “My dear friend, what troubles you?” The disciple replied, “Before dying, the master told me not to let a cat into my life. But I don’t understand why.” The old monk smiled softly. “There is a story behind it. Let me share it with you.” Years ago, when the master was still young, he renounced his home, his wife, and children to seek the truth. He moved deep into a forest, near a quiet village. Each day, he would beg for food from the villagers. Out of respect, the villagers built a small bamboo cottage for him. He owned only two pieces of clothing. But a problem soon emerged. Rats began chewing his clothes. Disturbed, the monk shared his concern. A villager suggested: “Why don’t you keep a cat? It will chase away the rats.” The monk agreed. The cat came. The rats disappeared. But now a new problem began. The cat needed milk. The monk had to visit the village multiple times a day just to feed it. He expressed his concern again. Another villager said: “Why don’t you keep a cow? It will give milk for the cat — and for you.” The monk agreed. He now had a cow. But the cow needed grass and care. And the monk, focused on meditation, found it hard to manage. Once again, he shared his concern. The villagers offered a solution: “There’s a widow in our village. She’s alone and kind. She can help you.” The widow agreed. She moved into the monk’s cottage. She fed the cow, cared for the cat, cooked meals, and grew vegetables nearby. The monk began helping her in the field. Over time, their bond deepened. Living under the same roof, emotions blossomed. Eventually, they became intimate. The widow became pregnant. And after a few months, she gave birth to a child. The monk, once known for meditation, now worked hard in the field to feed his family. One evening, exhausted, he sat down and reflected: “What happened to me? I had renounced the world to find the truth… but now I’m back in the world.” Then it hit him. It all began with the cat. The old monk finished the story. He looked at the young disciple and said: “When the master told you not to allow a cat into your life, he didn’t mean it literally. He meant this: never give your mind even a small indulgence. Because the mind is like a flame — feed it once, and it starts to consume you. We all tell ourselves, ‘Just this once, it won’t become a habit.’ But that’s how addictions begin. That’s how the trap is set. Take the example of porn. Many youngsters watch it “just once.” But slowly, it becomes a compulsion. Or junk food. We know it’s harmful. But we say, “Only today.” And soon, it ruins our health, energy, and focus. The mind is powerful. It can be your best friend or your worst enemy. A controlled mind can take you to freedom. An uncontrolled mind can drag you into bondage. It’s like a car without steering, or a train without tracks. It moves fast, but in the wrong direction. Even the great master gave his mind just a little space — and that one choice brought him back into the world he had once left behind. So remember this always: Never keep the cat of mental indulgence. Because once you let it in, it will take over your life before you even realize it. Discipline is freedom. Restraint is power. Control of the mind is the first step to mastering life.