Hi,
My name is Robert Aceves and I welcome you to this bedtime story,
Sleep Meditation,
The Awakening of Tesho.
Today's Zen story will give you a glimpse of what it's like to practice Zen in a Zen monastery and use your imagination to immerse yourself into an enlightening journey of self-discovery.
Hope you enjoy it.
Before we begin,
Please find a comfortable place where nobody will interrupt you.
And where you can relax completely.
You may adjust your body in the most comfortable position for you.
Whether on your bed or on the floor,
Sitting or lying down.
Feeling the support beneath your body.
And when you're ready,
Close your eyes.
Take a deep breath in,
Filling your lungs with fresh air.
And slowly exhale,
Letting go of any tension or worries.
Allowing your body to relax.
And your mind to settle as you embark on a journey of self-discovery,
Enlightenment and inner peace.
Many,
Many,
Many years ago,
In the heart of ancient Japan,
Nestled between rolling hills and serene temples,
There was a young monk named Tesho.
His quest for enlightenment had led him on a journey across the country,
Seeking wisdom from the most revered Zen masters at that time.
Desha's heart was filled with eagerness and determination,
Believing that the true nature of existence lay in understanding the concept of emptiness.
One crisp autumn morning.
Arrived at the renowned Shokoku temple.
The temple stood as a beacon of tranquility.
Surrounded by lush gardens.
And the soft sound of flowing water from a nearby stream.
Tetsuo felt that deep sense of calm wash over him as he stepped onto the temple grounds.
As you imagine the scene.
Take a moment to focus on your breath.
Inhaling deeply,
As you exhale visualizing yourself standing at the entrance of the Shokoku Temple.
Feeling the cool breeze on your skin.
And the gentle warmth of the sun.
Teshu entered the main hall of the temple.
Where he found the wise monk Dokhwon.
He was sitting in quiet meditation.
The corn.
Was known for his profound understanding of Zen.
And his ability to guide seekers towards true enlightenment.
Tesho,
Approached with reverence and humility,
Eager to share his insights.
The mind,
The Buddha,
And beings are empty,
" Tesha proclaimed confidently.
The true nature of things is emptiness,
Neither wisdom nor deceit.
Neither wise nor ignorant,
Neither eagerness nor reward.
At that moment,
Dokwon's eyes flickered open and without a word,
He reached for a stick and struck Tasha on the head.
The sharp pain jolted Tesho out of his reverie and he jumped up in surprise.
And anger.
Why did you do that?
Tess should demand it.
His voice trembling with emotion.
Dok-Won calmly replied.
Everything is empty.
Where did that anger come from?
With these words,
Tesho became enlightened.
Take another deep breath in.
And as you exhale,
Feel the tension of Tesha's anger dissolving away.
Replaced by a sense of curiosity,
Enlightenment and introspection.
Tetsuo's mind raised as he pondered Dokon's words.
That his understanding of emptiness was shallow.
Merely an intellectual concept rather than a lived experience.
He sat down beside Dokwon,
His heart open and receptive.
Ready to learn the true essence of Zen.
Over the next few days,
Tetsuo immersed himself in the daily practices of the temple.
Deepening his enlightenment,
He learned to sweep the grounds with mindfulness,
Appreciating the simplicity of each task.
He joined the communal meals,
Savoring each bite with gratitude and presence.
Through meditation,
He began to experience moments of stillness and clarity.
Glimpsing the profound peace that laid beyond the surface of his thoughts.
Imagine Tesho.
Meditating,
Sitting cross-legged.
Quiet of the temple.
The soft sound of a nearby stream.
Providing a gentle background melody.
Visualize the serenity.
On his face.
The deep calm that begins to permeate his being.
One evening,
As the sun set and the temple grounds were bathed in a golden glow,
Dogwon approached Tesho.
Tell me,
Tesho,
What have you discovered in your time here?
Teshu smiled and you found sense of humility and understanding in his eyes.
I have learned that emptiness is not a concept to be grasped,
But a state to be experienced.
It is in the simplicity of each moment.
And the act of sweeping the grounds.
And the taste of a simple meal.
And the stillness of meditation.
It is the space between thoughts.
The silence that holds everything.
Do Kwon nodded approvingly.
You have begun to see the true nature of things.
Remember Tesho.
That enlightenment is not a destination but a continuous journey.
Embrace each moment with mindfulness and presence,
And you'll find the peace you seek.
As you listen to these words,
Allow yourself to drift deeper into relaxation.
Feel the calmness spreading through your body.
From the top of your head to the tips of your toes.
Tesho continued his journey.
Carrying with him the wisdom he had gained at Shukoku Temple.
He no longer sought answers in grand proclamations.
But in the simple,
Everyday moments of life.
Through mindfulness and presence,
He found a profound sense of peace and fulfillment.
As you prepare to drift off to sleep.
Take a final deep breath in and slowly exhale,
Letting go of any remaining tension in your body.
Embrace the tranquility of the present moment.
Knowing that you are exactly where you need to be.
Allow yourself to surrender to the peacefulness of sleep.
Knowing that each breath brings you closer to a state of deep rest and rejuvenation.
Thank you for listening.
And good night.
You you you I love you.
You Oh.
You you Oh.
You you you Oh.
You you you Oh,
Oh,
Oh.
You
