INTRODUCTION
When my eldest child was in high school taking a world history course, they said: "Hey dad, remember that bedtime story you told me and my sisters many years ago when I was 10 years old about the guy about to be eaten by a tiger, and after finding a strawberry next to him, he plopped a delicious strawberry into his mouth, and said 'It's so yummy in the tummy?'"
"Yeah, what about it?" I asked.
"All this time I thought you made up that story just like the rest of the improvised stories you would tell at bedtime."
I explained: "Sure, I made up most of those stories, but not that particular story. I learned that from an Intro to Buddhism course in college."
"Well, guess what? I read that story in class today, and I was like, 'Wait a minute - that's dad's bedtime story.' But then I remembered when I first heard it from you years ago of how ridiculous and silly the ending was. I thought you made it up because most of your stories were silly. Now I'm learning that this story has a philosophical point."
Silly yet philosophical. As a Zen koan, that sounds about right.
(Recommended story to pair: The Parable of the Deep Well)
When my eldest child was in high school taking a world history course, they said: "Hey dad, remember that bedtime story you told me and my sisters many years ago when I was 10 years old about the guy about to be eaten by a tiger, and after finding a strawberry next to him, he plopped a delicious strawberry into his mouth, and said 'It's so yummy in the tummy?'"
"Yeah, what about it?" I asked.
"All this time I thought you made up that story just like the rest of the improvised stories you would tell at bedtime."
I explained: "Sure, I made up most of those stories, but not that particular story. I learned that from an Intro to Buddhism course in college."
"Well, guess what? I read that story in class today, and I was like, 'Wait a minute - that's dad's bedtime story.' But then I remembered when I first heard it from you years ago of how ridiculous and silly the ending was. I thought you made it up because most of your stories were silly. Now I'm learning that this story has a philosophical point."
Silly yet philosophical. As a Zen koan, that sounds about right.
(Recommended story to pair: The Parable of the Deep Well)
Two Tigers & a Strawberry
(Illustrated by Chaplain Donnel Miller-Mutia, Ink & acrylic on paper. Adapted from translation by Paul Reps. Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, New York: Anchor/Doubleday, 1958, pages 22–23)
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REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What did you find to be the most important part of the story? What resonated with you?
- What experiences have you had that is close to this story?
- Where do you find yourself in this story? Which part of the story is about you?
- What moments in your journey felt like you had to survive? Notice where your awareness was focused on. Was it on the moments of danger/threat? Or on moments that were "sweet-tasting"? Or both?
Guide for Facilitators of Spiritual Care Support Groups
Leader's Guide
Participant's Guide
Reflection
Examples
SONGS
Dwelling in the Present Moment
Spirit Still My Body (Charles Murphy)
In this Circle
Participant's Guide
Reflection
Examples
SONGS
Dwelling in the Present Moment
Spirit Still My Body (Charles Murphy)
In this Circle
