The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together every night at the dinner table. But the old man's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon and when he grasped the glass, milk often spilled on the table cloth.

The mess irked the son and his wife. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating and food on the floor."

So a small table was set in the corner, where grandfather was to eat alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his bowl was served in a wooden bowl. Often when the family glanced in the grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps. He asked the child, "What are you making son?" The boy looked up from his project and sweetly replied, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled innocently and went back to work.

The parents were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled or tablecloth soiled.


Are you worried that your children don't listen to you?

Instead shouldn't you be more worried that they are watching you?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

The Holy Cat

Each time the guru sat for worship with his disciples, the ashram cat would come and distract them. So he ordered them to tie her up when the ashram was at prayer. After the guru died, the cat continued to be tied up at worship time. When the cat expired, another cat was brought into the ashram to make sure that the guru's orders were observed faithfully at worship time.

Centuries passed and learned treatises were written by the guru's scholarly disciples on the ritualistic significance of tying up a cat while worshipping.


What holds you from seeking to know why you do what you do?

Have you bothered to understand the purpose behind many of the things you do in life?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Black Balloon

Raju was a dark complexioned little boy. He stood watching the balloon man at the country fair attracting customers by releasing a red balloon, a blue balloon, a yellow one and a white one. They all went soaring into the sky until they disappeared. The little boy asked, "Sir, if you send the black one up would it go as high as the others?"

The balloon man, understanding the boy's question, snapped the string that held the black balloon and as it soared upwards said, "It is not the colour son. It's what is inside that makes it rise."


What makes you feel inferior or superior to others?

Are you not unique and much more than how you look and what you have?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

This Too Shall Pass

Once upon a time there lived a king who was very powerful. His court was attended by wise men from many lands. One day he gathered them and announced, "I wish to test your wisdom. Bring for me, before sunset, a gift that will make me joyous when I am unhappy and sober when I am indulgent."

In the evening he called for the wise men to see what they had brought him. The wise men paid their respects to the king and placed before him a ring on which was inscribed, "This too shall pass."


How stuck are you with the pleasures and pains of life?

Is there anything that is permanent?

How do you keep moving forward in life?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Fault Finding

The pupils of the Tendai school used to study meditation before Zen entered Japan. Four of them, who were very close friends, promised one another to observe seven days of silence.

One the first day all were silent. Their meditation had begun auspiciously, but when night fell and the oil lamps were growing dim, one of the pupils could not help exclaiming to a servant, "Fix those lamps!"

The second pupil was surprised to hear the first one talk. "We are not supposed to say a word," he remarked.

"You two are stupid. Why did you talk?" asked the third.

"I am the only one who has not talked," announced the fourth pupil.


How often do we find fault in others?

What holds you from using this instinct to find and rectify some of your own faults?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Mahan - the Great

Along the bottom of the river Ganges lives a village of creatures whose way of life was to cling tightly to the rocks on the river bed, and to resist the current of the river. One of them, 'Siddharth the adventurous', got tired of clinging. The monotony wearied him. He decided to place his trust in the current and allow it to take him where it would. His parents and friends cautioned him about the current, "It will smash you against the rocks and kill you." But Siddharth did not heed them and let go. Immediately he stumbled and was tossed against the hard rocks, which strengthened Siddharth's resolve not to cling again.

In time, the current lifted him free from the bottom and he got bruised and hurt no more. The clinging creatures saw him and marvelled at him, hailing him as 'Mahan - the Great'. Siddharth swaying in the current said, "I am no greater than any one of you. Dare to let go and the river will lift you free and you will discover your true worth." The creatures, still clinging, cried, "Mahan!" Siddharth flowed past, leaving the creatures to cling and make legends of a Mahan.


What are some of the things you are clinging to?

What holds you from letting go?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

The Lost Key

A neighbour found Nasruddin on his hands and knees near a lamp post, searching for something. The neighbour asked, "What are you searching for?"

"My key."

Now, both men got on their knees to search. After a while the neighbour asked, "Where did you lose it?"

"At home."

"Good Lord! Then why are you searching here?"

"Because it is bright here!"


Do you end up searching for solutions where it is convenient, rather than where you actually need to look for them?

How serious are you about solving your problems?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Winning

A farmer whose corn always took the first prize at the State Fair, had the habit of sharing his best corn seeds with all the farmers in the neighbourhood. When asked why, he said, "It is really a matter of self-interest. The wind picks up the pollen and carries it from field to field, so if my neighbours grow inferior corn, the cross pollination brings down the quality of my own corn. So I am concerned that they plant only the very best."


What does it mean to win with everyone involved being happy?

What does it take to give and still not lose?

How sure are you of your own self?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

All For the Good

A close aide of the king had the habit of looking at every situation, good or bad, and commenting, "All for the good". This habit landed him in trouble one day when on a hunting trip, due to a faultily loaded gun, the king's finger was blown off. The aide remarked, "All for the good". The king was furious at such insensitiveness and had him imprisoned.

A few months later, while on a hunt, the king was captured by some cannibals, who had the custom of sacrificing human to their deity. As they were preparing to sacrifice the king, they noticed the king's missing finger and being too superstitious to sacrifice a less than perfect specimen to their deity, set him free.

The king realised the truth behind the comment and summoned his aide. He narrated his near brush with death and apologised for his hasty decision. True to form, the aide remarked, "All for the good." The king was surprised, but the aide explained, "Had your majesty not imprisoned me, I would have surely accompanied you on the hunt and the cannibals would have had no problem sacrificing a 'perfect' specimen like me to their deity."

The king, amused by his aide's attitude, rewarded him and made him his chief advisor.


Do you see life filled with independent events or a series of events, in turn connected with a bigger purpose?

When will you start seeing life as a whole?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Cod Liver Oil for the Dog

A man began to give large doses of cod liver oil to his pet dog because he had been told that it was good for dogs. Each day he would hold the protesting dog between his knees, force its jaws open and pour the oil down its throat.

One day the dog broke away and spilt the oil on the floor. Then to the man's great surprise, it not only lapped up the oil that was spilt on the floor but came back to lick the spoon.

That was when the man discovered that, what the dog had been fighting was not the oil but the manner in which is was being given.


What is more important...'giving' or 'giving your way'?

How can you become sensitive to others' way of receiving?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Change...

The Sufi Bayazid says this about himself:

I was a revolutionary when I was young and my only prayer to God was...

"Lord, give me the energy to change the world."

As I approached middle age and realised that half my life was gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to...

"Lord, give me the grace to change all those who come in contact with me. Just my family and friends and I shall be content."

But now that I am old, I pray thus...

"Lord, give me the grace to change myself. If I had prayed for this right from the start I would not have wasted my life."


What motivates you to attempt changing others?

What holds you from seeing yourself as the beginning of all change you want to see in the world?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Present Moment

Once the clock master, while fixing a clock, heard the pendulum plead, "Please sir, leave me alone. Think of the number of times I will have to tick day and night, sixty times each minute, sixty minutes an hour, twenty four hours a day, three sixty five days a year, for year upon year... I could never do it."

But the master replied wisely, "Don't think of the future. Just do one tick at a time and you will enjoy every tick for the rest of your life." And the pendulum decided to follow the master's words and is still ticking away merrily.


As you are pulled by the past and the future, how much of the present do you miss out?

What does it take to be in the present?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

I Stopped Long Ago...

A woman was at her singing lessons. She had such a jarring voice that her neighbour could take it no more. He managed to finally summon up the courage to knock at her door and say, "Madam, if you don't stop your singing, I think I'll go mad!"

"What are you talking about?" said the woman. "I stopped two hours ago!"


Do you respond to people or the image you hold of them?

Why do you imprison people in your mind?

What preoccupations of yours prevent you from seeing life as it is?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Who Am I?

The Wemmicks were small wooden people, carved by a woodworker named Eli. Every Wemmick looked different. But they did the same thing all day. They gave each other stickers. The talented and pretty ones always got stars. But the Wemmicks with rough surfaces and chipped paint got dots, which meant they were no good.

Punchinello always got dots even though he tried hard to earn stars. Soon he started believing he was a no-good Wemmick. One day he met a Wemmick called Lulia with no dots or stars. It wasn't that other Wemmicks didn't try to give her stickers; it was just that the stickers did not stick on her. Punchinello was curious to know how this was possible and Lulia asked him to meet Eli.

Punchinello felt very happy in Eli's company. "Don't worry about your dots," Eli said. "After all, they are given by fellow Wemmicks. But you are special to me because I made you."

"But why don't stickers stick on Lulia," he asked. "Because the stickers only stick if you let them!" Punchinello thought "I think Eli really means it." And at that moment a dot fell to the ground. Soon he had no stickers sticking to him and he felt good deep within.


How much do you get carried away by what others think of you?

What holds you from accepting yourself as you are deep within?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

The Filthy Neighbour

A: You should see how dirty my neighbour is, and her house! Even her children are always dirty! It is almost a disgrace to be living in the same neighbourhood. Take a look at the clothes she has hung outside on the line!

B: (Looks out of A's dirty windows) I think, the clothes are quite clean... The streaks are on your window!


How often do you clean your glasses before you see others?

How objective are the glasses you wear?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

The Cracked Pot

A water bearer carried two pots, slung from the ends of a pole. One was a whole pot and the other had a crack.

The whole pot was proud of its perfection and the other, ashamed of its deformity. One day, the cracked pot pleaded, "Master, why do you continue to use me when I can deliver only half my load?"

Understanding the pot's dilemma, the water bearer said, "Look on the sides of the path we take everyday." The pot did and was pleasantly surprised to see a bed of vibrant flowers on its side, whereas the other side was dry and barren! "You may not be delivering your full load, but you are the reason for these lovely flowers, which I take to my master for his daily prayers!" concluded the wise man.


Do you realise that it is not about how perfect or imperfect you are, but what you are creating with your contributions that make the real difference?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

How Full Is Your Cup?

A Zen master received a university professor who came to enquire about Zen.

The master served tea, filling his visitor's cup to the brim, and continued pouring.

The professor watched him until he could no longer restrain himself. "It is full. No more will go in!"

"Like this cup," the master said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"


Do you walk into a situation to show what you already know or to understand about the situation?

How open are you to life?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Growing

A museum, well-known for its marble sculptures, attracted large admiring crowds. A brilliantly sculpted statue of a lady was one of the masterpieces that adorned the resplendent hall.

One night, the marble tile, on which the lady stood, complained, "It is not fair! We both originated from the same cave and yet people walk over me and admire you for hours. Why am I a stepping stone and you a masterpiece?"

The marble lady replied calmly, "Remember the day the sculptor tried to work on you with his chisel and the fuss you created, discouraging him to work any further? But when he chose me instead, I allowed him to complete what he had started. It was painful no doubt, but even you would agree that the end result was worth it!"

From then on the marble tile took pride in being a stepping stone and never complained again.


How strong is your resistance to life's effort in shaping you? 

Do you allow life to sculpt you to become what you are actually capable of being?

If not, why not?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Build Wisely

There lived an elderly carpenter. One day he thought to himself, "It is time I retired and enjoyed a life of leisure."

When the employer learnt of his wish to retire, he was indeed sorry to let go of one of his best workers. However, he said, "Build just one last house for me, this will entirely be your baby. Consider it a personal favour!"

The carpenter reluctantly agreed. But it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work.

He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior material, thereby saving some money for himself.

When the house was ready, the employer came to inspect it...

The very next day, a grand farewell was arranged in the new house and handing over the door key to the carpenter, the employer proudly declared, "This is your home! A token of appreciation for your dedicated service."

The carpenter was shocked!

What a shame! Had he only known he was building his own house!


Do you have multiple standards...One for yourself and another for others?

What stops you from giving your best to everything you do?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~

Destiny in a Tossed Coin

The Japanese General Nabunaga decided to attack even though he had only one soldier to the enemy's ten. He was sure he would win but his soldiers were full of fear.

On the way to the battlefield they stopped at a Shinto shrine. Nabunaga said to his army, "I shall now toss a coin. If it is heads, we shall win. If tails, we lose. Destiny will now reveal itself." He tossed the coin. It was heads.

The soldiers were so keyed up for the fight that they wiped out the enemy. Next day an aide said to Nabunaga, "No one can change destiny."

"Right," replied the General, showing him a coin that had heads on both sides.

How much do you believe in yourself?

Who decides your destiny?


~Taken from "How full is your cup?: 64 stories that can transform the way you look at life" by J M Sampath~