The Holy Man

Renee Lehman

(10/2019) Below is an ancient Zen story that provides modern day wisdom. It is called The Holy Man.

Everywhere he went, the rich man heard about a holy man who lived on top of the highest mountain in China. It was said that the holy man’s garments were spun from the finest iridescent silk, handed down from the wife of the Yellow Emperor. It was also said that his house was so grand even the trees surrounding it bowed down, and the effect of the sun reflecting brightly off its golden windows was almost too brilliant to behold.

The rich man’s garments were fit for a king. His palatial home was painted in opulent colors and filled with expensive treasures. Still, he was certain that none of his belongings were as magnificent as those of the holy man. Night after night, the rich man lay awake in his hand-carved wooden bed, feeling envious of the holy man. So one day, he decided to make the long, difficult journey to meet the holy man himself.

The rich man traveled and climbed for weeks until he stepped foot on the top of the highest peak. He knocked on the door of a humble hut perched at the tippy top. "I’ve come to see the holy man," he said to the servant who answered. "He is here," the man said with a smile, and he invited the rich man inside.

As they walked from the first room to the second, the rich man looked around. Instead of golden windows, he saw an open, simple wood-framed window where three yellow warblers perched, eating crumbs. He looked for the holy man, dressed in his robes of silk, but saw only the servant, with tattered sleeves and a long beard that nearly reached his waist. In a matter of minutes, the two men reached the back door and stood outside, where flowers bloomed in fragrant profusion and ancient trees swayed gently in the wind.

The rich man exclaimed, "What kind of trick is this? Where is the holy man? I have traveled a long way and demand to see him right now!"

"You already have," answered the holy man. "Yet you have not found what you are looking for. Learn to see with new eyes. View everyone you meet in life as a holy person, even if they appear plain and insignificant. If you do this, whatever riches you now have will be nothing compared to the treasures you will gain."

Thoughts about this story

This ancient story shows that the greatest challenges in life require us to overcome obstacles within ourselves, not outside of ourselves. In the story, the rich man was able to overcome a long journey of climbing up a mountain trail but did not attempt to move beyond his own ego.

Does this possibly remind you of Jesus? He was born an unassuming and humble carpenter’s son. Or maybe this story reminds you of Martin Luther King’s belief that we are all human and worthy of respect.

What about the thought that you can’t judge a book by its cover? What about the thought that we see ourselves in everyone that we meet?

Every moment in your life is important. Why? Because everything is energy. All energy has consciousness. All consciousness has purpose. Therefore, every action you take in life is significant. There is a meaning and a consciousness behind every event/experience/happening that takes place.

What about the fact that many people search outside of themselves for love, happiness, fulfillment, and healing? The truth is that all the answers that we search for are found within us, we just don’t recognize it!

There is the Zen principle that if you feel love and respect for all people that you meet, you will receive inner peace automatically.

And finally, there is the scripture Proverbs 24:14, "Wisdom is thus for the soul; wisdom brings depth and substance to our souls which enables us to live a full and rich life." In this modern-day life, we live in a culture that seems to deemphasize the importance of wisdom. Is this because of all the distractions and the frenzied pace that we live, which doesn’t seem to allow for deep thought and reflection? The answer could be, "Yes."

There was an article in The Wall Street Journal from 2000 written by Anthony O’Hare, who is the director of Britain’s Royal Academy of Philosophy. In this interesting article he stated a basic premise: modern man hates solitude. "Whether it’s your television, your PC, your laptop, your Palm pilot, your cell phone, your Walkman, whatever it is, modern people are in a desperate search for diversion." A desperate search for diversion. Diversion from what? He says, "So that they don’t have to reflect on the important issues of life." And if you read this article, in the bottom line, he says this: "Modern men lead shallow lives. Modern man leads a shallow life." This does not allow for wisdom and depth to our soul – true richness!

The story of the Holy Man has been told and retold throughout the generations, reminding us that true riches come from deep within. Please pass this story along!

"While wealth will be a capricious shadow to our lives, true riches lie in strength of character; that is infinitely harder to accumulate. It is the only gold that enhances our potential in terms of what we can offer the world." - Dr Salma Farook, What Your Soul Already Knows

"Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you." - Oscar Wilde

"You are not lonely if joy is within you; not empty if truth is within you; not poor if love is within you; and not insignificant if God is within you." - Matshona Dhliwayo

Renee Lehman is a licensed acupuncturist and physical therapist with over 30 years of health care experience. Her office is located at 249B York Street in Gettysburg, PA. She can be reached at 717-752-5728.