Zen-Geschichte

The Cloudy Lake

A Zen master and his students were traveling together. When they arrived at a lake, the master said to one impatient student: »I am thirsty. Can you bring me some water from the lake?«
The student went to the shore, but an ox cart had just passed through the water and stirred up mud. He thought: »I cannot give the master this dirty water.« He returned and said: »The water is muddy. We cannot drink it.« After half an hour, the master asked the student again to fetch water. The water was still unclear. The student came back and said: »It is still not usable. We should go to the village and get clean water there.« The Zen master did not respond and simply remained sitting. Some time later, he asked the same student to try again. Although annoyed, the student went to the lake. To his surprise, the water was now clear. He filled a cup and brought it to the master.
The master asked: »What did you do to make the water clean?« Confused, the student replied: »Nothing.« The Zen master smiled and said: »Oh yes, you did. You waited and left the water alone. When you did not disturb it, the mud settled and the water became clear. Your mind works the same way. When it is restless, do not fight it. Practice patience and balance will return by itself. Many things become clear when you simply stop interfering.«