The Power of the Mind. “Humans are disturbed not by things, but by the views they take of them.” — Epictetus. An old story for today.

Wŏnhyo, a Korean Buddhist monk, was travelling to China long time ago to study Buddhism.

One stormy night, he took shelter in what he thought was a cave deep in the jungle.

Wŏnhyo woke up thirsty, felt around in the dark, found a bowl, and drank from it. The water felt cool, clean, and refreshing. He went back to sleep, satisfied.

Morning changed everything. The “cave” was actually an old tomb. The “bowl” was a human skull. And the “refreshing water” was stale, blackish rainwater collected inside it. Horrified, he vomited.

Then came the insight: nothing about the water had changed , only his perception had. In darkness, it was pure; in daylight, it was disgusting.

The difference wasn’t in the water at all. It was in his mind.

That realization flipped a switch. He understood that the mind shapes reality. He abandoned the journey to China and returned to Korea, enlightened.

Wŏnhyo’s story is a reminder that the mind is the ultimate storyteller, capable of turning the same situation into euphoria or despair.

I have a board of bubble-busters who keep me grounded by popping my unreasonable imaginary bubbles whenever I drift into them.

What about you? Have you picked yours?

Take it easy until next time.

Blogging is something I enjoy, and I share my thoughts on my blog most weekends. Explore all my blogs at https://lnkd.in/ejq7CWaQ.

Views are my own.

Blogging is something I enjoy, and I share my thoughts on my blog most weekends.

Read all my “Notes to Self” at view all blogs.