06/08/2019
A way to overcome despair
[Story 1]
When I was meditating in the temple, Smith (anonymity) cried and came.
I: "Why are you crying?"
Smith: "My income is so small that I can not afford to pay for my leased car and house."
I: "Why?"
Smith: "I really tried. I also worked hard to do real estate and other things to increase my income. But I will not be able to pay this month’s rent. "
I: "So what if you take a car in a cheap car and move the house to a little house?"
Smith: "If I do that, my lover who lives with me will leave me."
I: "Then tell your mother to help you. Your mother is rich! "
Smith: "My mother is rich, but she never helps me. She told me before that she could not help me because I already became an adult. Now what should I do. I think that I will be a homeless. "
I: 'Oh, the truth! What should I answer for him? "I asked in my mind. Then the answer came out unintentionally.
I: "Do not worry. The Buddha was a homeless, and Jesus was a homeless. Your girlfriend may leave you. Maybe you can’t rent a car, take a car, and leave the house. But you don't die. If you must die, there is no choice but to die. But thankfully there is a great way. Even if you become a homeless, you can meditate anywhere and anytime. You can meditate to keep your spirit growing. And then one day, you might find a good solution! "
Smith: "The Buddha was a homeless, too?"
I: "Yes, he was. And the monks who were following him were all homeless." Smith wiped tears and then suddenly he seemed to have confidence.
Smith: "Yes. I can’t avoid being a homeless. I have to be a homeless. I think I have to do my best in the meantime. "
I: "Empty your mind and throw you at the truth. The truth will take care of you "
Smith: "Yes, I’ll do."
The next week, Smith jumped in the temple so joyfully. He said that he was working as a temporary worker, but he became a full time worker and his salary was doubled. It’s not a lot of money, but it’s enough to pay his leased car and house. Also his girlfriend didn’t leave.
[Story 2]
Hundreds of years ago there was a famous merchant in Korea.
He sold a healthy food called 'ginseng' to China.
However, the Chinese traders wanted to buy it cheaply, so they colluded with each other and didn’t buy his ginseng at all.
Finally, the Korean merchant sold it cheaper than before. Nevertheless, the Chinese traders didn’t buy it even though the price was lowered. They wanted to buy it much more cheaply.
If the Korean merchant offers lower the price of ginseng, he will be ruined.
What would you do if you are in the situation like him?
Please, think about it very carefully for a minute.
If you sell the price of ‘ginseng’ you want, they don’t buy it. They are united and want a much lower price. If you sell it at the price they want, your business will go bankrupt. What should you do?
It ruins like this, it ruins like that.
The Korean merchant gathered all ‘ginseng’ on a tree in the street.
The merchant decided to burn everything rather than sell it cheaply because he realized that there was no choice to avoid the bankruptcy.
Then Chinese traders gathered to the place.
If the ginseng disappears, they are also greatly damaged.
He put a light to the ‘ginseng’.
Then the Chinese merchants jumped into the street and brought the fire under control.
They entreated him not to burn it, and they said, “We’ll give you money as you want.”
He answered, “I don’t need money anymore. I'll burn it anyway.”, and he tried to burn it again.
Then the Chinese traders begged forgiveness for their wrongdoing.
They really paid for the price he wanted, also since then they respected the Korean merchant.
To escape from despair, Ego must die.
Selfish Ego also must die.
Because that every despair follows one’s Ego.
If one throws oneself, the situations will change.
Once selfish Ego die, it naturally comes out with wisdom inside.
There is no despair for one who is not afraid to die.
Rev. Jung Park.
