Once upon a time in a small village in far-off China, there lived a Zen Master. The monk was very wise, compassionate, and well-respected in the community as being a wonderful spiritual role model. As was customary practice, the Master routinely had students living with him in his home, so that they might seek enlightenment through direct experience of living gently on the planet, meditation and philosophical discussion. The Master's students immersed themselves in interpersonal interaction and activities of daily living as important elements in their journey toward self-realization.
All was as it should be . . .
As fate (and biological impulse) would have it, one of the young women living in the Master's home became pregnant. The father was a young man who lived in the village and was not a member of the group who lived with the Master.
For several months, the young woman was able to conceal changes in her anatomy, since she was wearing traditional (and ample) Chinese robes. Her ever-increasing mid-riff was hidden under draping silk. She told no one of her condition, especially her parents, since she did not want to bring shame upon her family.
Toward the end of her pregnancy, she was no longer able to hide the fact that she was carrying a child. Her enlarged tummy was obvious. The young woman went to her parents and advised them of her condition. Her mother and father reacted with surprise, anger, and eventually outrage. They demanded to know who was the man who had impregnated their daughter! Frightened and overwhelmed, she refused to reveal his identity.
A healthy baby boy was born to the young woman. After the birth of the child, the parents increased their demands to know the identity of the boy's father. No longer willing to endure the pressure and self-perceived disgrace, and not wanting to implicate her lover, the young woman impulsively said . . . "The Zen Master . . . It was the Zen Master! The Zen Master is the father of my child!" The parents were beside themselves with grief. Wallowing in their own self-pity, they decided they no longer wanted the now six-week-old child in their presence. They felt since the Zen Master was the father, he should have the responsibility of caring for and raising the boy. Wrapping the baby in a blanket, and accompanied by their daughter, the parents made their way to the home of the monk. Walking through a gate and a small garden, the trio plus infant arrived at the large wooden door of the Zen Master's home. Forcefully, the young woman's father pounded on the door. Moments later, the Zen Master appeared, dressed in sandals and the simple orange robe identifying him as a monk with little interest in worldly possessions. Regarding his visitors with curiosity, the Zen Master asked, "Yes . . . How may I help you?" Both parents spontaneously launched into a verbal attack! "How could you . . .a supposed holy man . . . have seduced our daughter when she was in your care? How could you have used your position of power to take advantage of her vulnerability? How could you? . . . How could you? . . . How could you? . . ." They did not even give the Zen Master an opportunity to respond. They were not interested in dialogue, only in leveling their own accusations. Thrusting the infant into the Zen Master's arms, the father said, "Here . . .This baby is yours. We do not want it. Because of your despicable actions, he was brought into this world. It is now your responsibility to do the honorable thing by caring for and raising him." Obviously taken aback, the monk looked and the parents . . . at the young woman . . .and at the baby now cradled in his arms . . . and after a long pause said, barely audibly . . . "Ah-So . . . Ah-So . . ." With nothing more to say, the Zen Master turned and re-entered his home, since the parents and their daughter were already making their way back to theirs.
Three years went by, and as the months and seasons melted away, the young woman felt a longing in her soul for her son. She experienced ever-deepening reservations about falsely accusing the Zen Master of fathering her child. No longer willing to live the lie, she confessed her transgressions to her parents. The young woman even identified the infant's true father. Her parents felt terrible at not only berating and humiliating the innocent monk, but of having deprived themselves of the company of their grandson due to their own implacable judgment. They decided they wanted the boy back. Well . . . the three year time frame had been a delightful time for the monk and his newly acquired ward. They laughed together as the investigated all manner of bugs in the garden, grew and devoured delicious vegetables, flopped down in the grass to watch the evening stars appear, sang silly little songs, and grew into a loving relationship. It was as though they were biological father and son. Once again, the parents and the young woman journeyed to the front door of the Zen Master. They knocked and waited . . .
The door opened, and there stood the monk, dressed as always in his sandals and simple orange robe. Alongside him, attired in an identical manner, also stood the now three-year-old boy. With his tiny hand, the little boy clasped the pinky of the monk. Once more curious, the Zen Master asked, "Yes . . . How may I help you?" The parents and young woman bowed deeply and expressed their sorrow at what they had done to ultimately lose their grandson. They pleaded with the monk for the boy's return so that they might love and raise the child as part their family. A long moment went by . . . and then the Zen Master released the boy's grip in his pinky, put his hand on the back of his son... gently moved him toward his biological mother and grandparents and said, barely audibly . . . "Ah-So . . . Ah-So . . ."
Ah-So . . . Ah-So
take it with drowsy antihistamines and it will potentiate the dhc. It is about 6 quid for 32 I think, been a while since I bought them. Or get a non brand form of cocodamol but it won't be as strong.
my max was 72 hours 8( why cant you sleep, insomnia? or chronic pain?, bit of both?
![:\](https://bluelight.org/xf/BL_Images/Orig_Emoji/wrygrin.gif "wry grin :\")
