The Broken Mirror
A disciple once asked his Zen master, “Master, why do I feel confused and disconnected from the truth of life?”
The master handed him a small mirror. “Drop this on the ground,” he said.
The disciple obeyed, and the mirror shattered into many pieces.
“Now,” said the master, “pick up a shard and look at yourself.”
The disciple picked up a fragment and saw a distorted reflection of his face. “I look strange and incomplete, Master. This is not the real me.”
The master nodded. “This is what happens when you label yourself or others—‘good,’ ‘bad,’ ‘worthy,’ ‘unworthy.’ Each label is like a shard of this broken mirror. It reflects only a part of the truth, often distorted. Yet, we cling to these fragments and believe they are the whole.”
The disciple frowned. “But without labels, how will I understand myself and others?”
The master smiled. “By letting go of the labels, you stop looking at fragmented shards and start seeing the whole truth, free from distortion. Only then will the real essence of life reveal itself.”
From that moment, the disciple began to question the labels he had placed on himself and the world. Slowly, he stopped seeing fragments and started embracing the wholeness of life.
My Contemplation:
As I reflect on the story of the broken mirror, I realize how often I have allowed labels—both my own and others'—to shape my perception of reality. These labels, whether positive or negative, are like fragmented pieces of a mirror, showing only distorted versions of who I truly am and what others truly are.
When I attach labels to myself, I limit my growth, reducing my essence to a simple category. By holding onto these labels, I miss the depth and fullness of the truth that lies beyond them. If I were to let go of these judgments, I would be able to see the whole picture—myself and the world—without distortion.
In this contemplation, I realize that I hold an energetic scissors to cut through my words, snipping away at the labels and stories that my subconscious mind has wrapped around me like an overly tight sweater. These labels—crafted by past experiences, society’s expectations, or judgments—often feel like invisible chains that bind me. With a snip here and a snip there, I begin to free myself from their limitations, letting go of the need to be confined by what others or even my past self have defined me to be.
The energetic scissors allow me to slice through the old script, replacing each label with an empowering word that speaks to my essence. Instead of "I am not good enough," I say, “I am a work in progress—always evolving.” Instead of "I have failed," I say, "I have learned." Each snip creates space for more empowering words to emerge, like seeds of potential that bloom into my true self.
As I continue to cut through my words, my language transforms from a rigid, pre-scripted play into an impromptu performance of freedom. I speak with clarity, joy, and authenticity, making room for the playful, ever-evolving version of me that is not bound by any label. My words no longer feel like heavy stones but rather like light feathers, floating on a breeze of possibility.
Through this process, I realize that only by letting go of the limitations of labels can I truly experience the wholeness and clarity of my being. I see my mirror of truth, beyond labels.
My words become a dance of empowerment, an invitation to myself and others to embrace the fun, fluid, and limitless potential of life. And just like that, I see both the light and the shadows, knowing that each has a part to play in this wild, wonderful journey called life.
"If you were to set aside every label you have ever used to define yourself or others, what would remain—and what truth might you discover about yourself and the world?"
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SPIRITUALITY is not about religion, beliefs, or dogmas, it is about MASTERING THE SKILLS to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST.
We all want to lead more balanced, joyful, and fulfilled lives.
I hope you find this information helpful, or at least enlightening to some degree, and please share with your friends as this knowledge might help them to find their center and manifest towards a healthy lifestyle and be able to enjoy life to the fullest.
Peace and Love to all 💞
Contact me @ 011 1670 3368
lizpranalife@gmail.com
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