The Parable of the Mountain and the Mirror

Once, a young seeker came upon a mountain cloaked in clouds. At its base stood a wise elder, who welcomed travellers seeking wisdom and led them on the path of peace.

“What must I do to find peace?” asked the seeker.

The elder handed the seeker a mirror and said, “Climb this mountain. At each step, gaze into this mirror. When the mountain and the mirror are as one, you shall find what you seek.”

And so, the seeker and the elder began to climb. At first, he saw only himself in the mirror—his pride, his victories, his sense of self shining brightly. But as he climbed higher, the clouds thickened, and the mirror grew heavy in his hand. He stumbled and fell, bruised and weary.

At last, he asked the elder, “Why does this journey weigh me down? Why am I not lighter as I climb?”

The elder smiled. “The mirror grows heavier not because of the climb, but because you still carry pride as your companion. Peace cannot be found while pride clouds your sight.”

The seeker pondered this and began to release his pride—of his victories, his knowledge, his righteousness. With each step, his image faded from the mirror, replaced by the boundless mountain, until at last, he saw only the world reflected within.

When he reached the peak, he stood in awe of the vast horizon and felt as light as a feather. At that moment, he looked into the mirror, and there was nothing to see but the mountain itself.

“Where am I?” he asked.

The elder’s voice echoed softly, “You have become one with the mountain, as you have let go of yourself. You sought peace, but peace has always been here, within and around you. Only the illusion of pride kept you from seeing it.”

And so, the seeker understood. Peace was not something to be found or conquered but was revealed when he surrendered his self to the unity of all things. He stood in silence, content in the oneness, and the world around him stood in peace.