THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ONLY WANT IN LIFE - a zen story

TL;DR

A story about a tree that gives selflessly and a man who seeks selfishly, highlighting the contrasting paths they take in life.

Transcript

foreign once upon a time there was a young boy named zico who lived with his father in a village zico's father planted a tree near their house and the tree was watered every day by ziko's father while ziko used to watch silently one day he asked his father why they would grow this tree and his father told him that the trees are like children and th... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛟 The story highlights the joy and satisfaction of selflessly serving others, as seen through the tree's fulfilling life.
• 🚲 Zico's selfish and greedy nature leads to unhappiness, isolation, and a constant cycle of unfulfilled desires.
• 👨‍🦲 Both the tree and Zico were planted by the same man but took contrasting paths, showing the choices we make in life.
• 🦃 The story emphasizes the importance of giving and selflessness as a path to contentment and fulfillment.
• 🌍 It reminds us that being used by the world can be a positive and fulfilling experience.
• 🎄 The tree's actions reflect the principles of Tibetan Buddhism, emphasizing compassion and generosity.
• 🌍 Zico's self-victimization and blame towards the world showcases the consequences of a selfish mindset.

Questions & Answers

Q: What lesson does Zico's father teach him about trees?

Zico's father teaches him that trees are like children that need to be nourished and if they grow right, they can provide shade and nourishment in return.

Q: How does the tree grow and what does it provide?

The tree spreads its branches for tired birds, gives shade to animals and humans, grows fruits to fulfill hunger, and has beautiful flowers to calm minds and hearts.

Q: What kind of person does Zico grow up to be?

Zico becomes a selfish and greedy man who is always seeking new desires and becomes angry when they are not fulfilled.

Q: How does Zico's life end up?

Due to his nature, Zico is abandoned by everyone and ends up homeless, living in self-pity and blaming the world for using him.

Key Insights:

• The story highlights the joy and satisfaction of selflessly serving others, as seen through the tree's fulfilling life.
• Zico's selfish and greedy nature leads to unhappiness, isolation, and a constant cycle of unfulfilled desires.
• Both the tree and Zico were planted by the same man but took contrasting paths, showing the choices we make in life.
• The story emphasizes the importance of giving and selflessness as a path to contentment and fulfillment.
• It reminds us that being used by the world can be a positive and fulfilling experience.
• The tree's actions reflect the principles of Tibetan Buddhism, emphasizing compassion and generosity.
• Zico's self-victimization and blame towards the world showcases the consequences of a selfish mindset.
• The story implies that true happiness comes from finding joy in giving and serving others.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A young boy named Zico grows up watching his father plant and care for a tree, learning the value of nurturing and giving.

• The tree grows big and strong, providing shade, relief, food, and beauty to all living beings around it.

• Meanwhile, Zico becomes a selfish man consumed by desires, leading to unhappiness, abandonment, and a life of self-pity.