If something is urgent, say it slowly.
Our mind is like a lake full of muddy water. Our emotions
blow across the disturbed water so that it’s impossible either
to see through it to the bottom of the lake or, because the
waves are disturbed, to see an accurate reflection off the
surface.
What meditation does is reduce the turbulence until there is
no more disturbance on the surface. At that point, the
reflection on the water becomes clearer. However, this is only
If something is important, say it clearly.
If something is unimportant, say it humorously.
If something is uncertain, say it discreetly.
If something did not happen, do not mention it at all.
If you cannot do something, do not claim it for yourself.
If what you say could harm others, keep silent.
part of the process, because although the reflection off the
water is now undisturbed, the water is still muddy, and thus,
for instance, the sun looks a dull brown colour rather than the
bright yellow light that it is. We need to do more.
As the water is stilled, however, something else happens. The
mud begins to settle and sink to the bottom, leaving the
water clear and clean. Now that the water is clear as well as
still, we are not only able to see a true reflection, but we get
When something annoys you, don’t take it personally.
If something makes you happy, don’t make too much of it.
When talking about your own affairs, pay attention to how
you talk.
When talking about someone else’s affairs, be judicious.
When your heart is broken, not everyone needs to know.
the proper colours. The water’s transparency also allows us to
see into the depths and ascertain a truer sense of the
dimensions of the lake.
When the lake is so clear that there’s not the tiniest amount
of distortion, it reflects spontaneously and accurately our
surroundings. During meditation, the calm mind reflects the
environment as it is.
Of things that remain to be done, talk of them when they
are finished.
Of things that happen in the future, don’t talk of them in the
present.
If I have not satisfied you, tell me.
(Ancient Chinese verse)
