After reading this wonderful piece I knew I had to share the story of Sono with you and your readers, in case you don't know it. To me, it is a story of both gratitude and 'radical acceptance':
Mark Van Burne in a Tricycle article tells this story: “There was a Zen master named Sono who was a very intense and well-respected Buddhist teacher who offered everyone she would meet the same teaching: “Thanks for everything. I have no complaints whatsoever.” No matter what was happening in someone’s life, she would give this simple mantra and would have them repeat it day and night.
One day a man came to see her looking to find ease in his heart, and she told him to repeat this mantra every morning, evening, and whenever anything whatsoever happened to him. The dedicated practitioner did as he was instructed for a whole year but came back frustrated because his heart was still not at peace. Nothing in his life had changed, he said. The mantra didn’t work. He looked to Sono for further instructions to move forward, and she immediately said, “Thanks for everything. I have no complaints whatsoever.” When the man heard these words, he burst into laughter and left in peace.
Van Burne asks: “What was it that this man realized that put his heart at ease? His life hadn’t transformed after a year of practice, so what did he understand at that moment? More importantly, are we capable of realizing the same thing?”
Van Burne goes on to note: “I have my own interpretation of what this mantra is pointing to, but I feel like no matter what explanation I offer, it will miss the mark, as the true meaning of this story seems to be unspeakable.”
Beautiful essay, Julia. This shifts my perspective on loneliness! I’ve been teaching a Gratitude Project since September and discovered one of the most powerful gratitude practices is a tool that asks me to list three challenges from the day and what each has taught me. It’s not about the moment of achievement but an awareness of how every failed effort led to that moment. Gratitude for what hard times/circumstances/people is not easy at first but eventually the practice pays off with a sincere sense of gratitude. Thank you!
So incredibly timely!! Thank you so very much for this.
Beautiful words, thoughts, wisdom, Julia. I'm grateful to receive it.
thank you, Jan.
After reading this wonderful piece I knew I had to share the story of Sono with you and your readers, in case you don't know it. To me, it is a story of both gratitude and 'radical acceptance':
Mark Van Burne in a Tricycle article tells this story: “There was a Zen master named Sono who was a very intense and well-respected Buddhist teacher who offered everyone she would meet the same teaching: “Thanks for everything. I have no complaints whatsoever.” No matter what was happening in someone’s life, she would give this simple mantra and would have them repeat it day and night.
One day a man came to see her looking to find ease in his heart, and she told him to repeat this mantra every morning, evening, and whenever anything whatsoever happened to him. The dedicated practitioner did as he was instructed for a whole year but came back frustrated because his heart was still not at peace. Nothing in his life had changed, he said. The mantra didn’t work. He looked to Sono for further instructions to move forward, and she immediately said, “Thanks for everything. I have no complaints whatsoever.” When the man heard these words, he burst into laughter and left in peace.
Van Burne asks: “What was it that this man realized that put his heart at ease? His life hadn’t transformed after a year of practice, so what did he understand at that moment? More importantly, are we capable of realizing the same thing?”
Van Burne goes on to note: “I have my own interpretation of what this mantra is pointing to, but I feel like no matter what explanation I offer, it will miss the mark, as the true meaning of this story seems to be unspeakable.”
I love how your comment exemplifies the impact of story even if we can’t fully explain why. Thank you for sharing this mantra and its story.
Beautiful essay, Julia. This shifts my perspective on loneliness! I’ve been teaching a Gratitude Project since September and discovered one of the most powerful gratitude practices is a tool that asks me to list three challenges from the day and what each has taught me. It’s not about the moment of achievement but an awareness of how every failed effort led to that moment. Gratitude for what hard times/circumstances/people is not easy at first but eventually the practice pays off with a sincere sense of gratitude. Thank you!