Once a devout meditator after years of saying the mantra felt he had the insight to begin teaching. He began to teach but was far from humble about his knowledge He learned of a famous hermit who lived across the lake on a small island. He went to visit the hermit who received him graciously. Over tea the meditator asked the hermit about his spiritual practice. The hermit said he had none, except saying the mantra throughout the day. Pleased with this answer, the meditator asked the hermit to say the mantra with him. To his horror the old hermit was pronouncing the mantra incorrectly. " Oh, my, how should I pronounce it?" Asked the hermit.
The meditator gave the hermit the correct mantra. The old hermit asked to be left alone so he could get started on saying the mantra correctly. The meditator left in his boat, worried for the sad fate of the hermit who had wasted so many years speaking the prayer incorrectly. But he was pleased that he could give him the correct mantra to practice for the remaining days of his life.
Suddenly the mediator heard the old hermit's voice, "excuse me, I hate to bother you.
But I've forgotten the correct way to say the mantra. Could you tell me again.”? The meditator gulped and stammered the correct pronunciation. The old hermit said the mantra correctly very slowly and very correctly. He then thanked the meditator and turned to walk back over the water to his island.
~ Author Unknown ~
http://www.wisdomcommons.org/search/parables?page=3&searchtype=wisbits&x=17&y=14
The Hermit Sage
I am one who lights the way to wisdom.
I am the torch bearer, the meditator, the thinker.
I am one who carries wisdom.
I am one who is alone.
I am one who lives alone.
I am one who walks alone.
I am one whose wisdom lights the darkened sky.
Bring me your questions and I will answer.
Beware the answer, for you must find your own.
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