One day, a Zen farmer and his neighbor Kagyu were sharing a cup of green tea on a Tibet mountaintop. Kayga noticed the farmer’s prized workhorse running off into the distance. “Oh look,” said Kagyu, “your workhorse is running away. How bad for you! You are an unlucky man.” The farmer replied. ” Well, Kagya, It could be good, could be bad, don’t know yet”.
The following week, while chatting and enjoying their Goji berry pastries, Kayga noticed in the distance the farmers work horse returning, however the horse was not alone it was being followed by 20 wild stallions. Kayga, who always looks to evaluate and analyze a situation; “Look, look what your horse has brought you,” he said. “This is so good! As it turns out you are a very lucky man! At first I thought you were unlucky but now I am sure luck is with you.” The farmer looked at Kayga with all his wisdom and thoughtfulness and replied; “Well Kagyu, in truth… it could be good, it could be bad; we don’t know yet”.
Soon after, the farmer’s son was in the field during a rain storm when one of the horses was spooked by a loud crash of thunder startling all the other horse. As a result the farmer’s son was trampled and left badly injured with bruised ribs and two broken legs. “Oh no!” said Kagyu. “Your son will take months to heal! How bad for you. You are unlucky after all.” The Zen farmer calmly replied; “It could be good, could be bad; we don’t know yet”.
A few days later, on a trip into town to retrieve supplies for the week Kaygu noticed signs posted everywhere stating that all healthy boys were to be sent off to war in a neighboring country. Kayga again shared his perspective; “At first I thought luck escaped you when your horse ran away but it returned and multiplied, then I was certain luck escaped you again when your son was injured – it seemed so clear, but now I can tell you with certainty, luck is with you. Your son is spared from war. “After much consideration I now see, this is good,” The Tibet farmer looked over at Kayga and replied:” Please hear me for the first time my dear friend. It could be good, it could be bad; we don’t know yet.”
The obstacle is the path.
Zen Proverb
Tags: author, could be bad, could be good, don't know yet, farmer, happiness, happy, horse, life coach, neighbor, parable, positive thinking, robinh-c, tibet, zen, zen farmer
