What does a mirror tell you?

There was once a monk who would carry a mirror where ever he went. This action drew the attention of a particular priest who grew convinced the monk must be misguided.

A priest noticed this repeatedly and thought to himself, "This monk is so preoccupied with the way he looks he has to carry that mirror all the time. He should not worry about the way he looks on the outside, it's what's inside that counts." The priest felt it made sense to take steps to guide the monk to the light.

So, the priest went up to the monk and asked "Why do you always carry that mirror?" The priest thought for sure the monk's response would reveal misplaced ego and guilt.

The monk pulled the mirror from his bag and pointed it at the priest. Then he said, "I use it in times of trouble. I look into it and it shows me the source of my problems as well as the solution to my problems."

What does a mirror tell you?

"All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why."
-James Thurber

Comments

[Lance]

Liara,
The mirror shows the real me...good and bad. The thing is - can I look in it honestly? Can I let the image I see from it be true and real? Or do I let my own self interests put a veil over the mirror? Hmmm....

[Jannie Funster]

Yep, it is so all inside!

Up here in Canada, my sister likes your "Self Disclosure" book so much I'm giving it to her. And of course I'll have to buy me another copy because it is a wonderful, wonderful book and a real keeper to be read, and read again as layers of love unfold.

[Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord]

Wow, the timing on this is incredible to me! I just (ten seconds ago) commented on another blog about mirrors. Mainly that I think I use mine too much. (smile)
I love this story, though --- great way to illustrate the point that everything in this life starts and ends with us; or rather our perceptions of things.

[Liara Covert]

Lance, all perception is a valuable teacher. "Good" and "bad" per se do not exist. A glance in the mirror is a friendly, soul-level reminder that you know more than you permit yourself to consciously accept right now.

[Liara Covert]

Hi Jannie, pleased to learn you are enjoying your visit to Canada. As you say, one can savor the Self-Disclosure book experience on different levels. Would love comments from your sister on this blog.

[E. Michelle]

Hi Liara,

I'm currently having a great experience in mirroring. I have been hired by a family to tutor their daughter in math. The first time I went to their house I felt fear so strongly. I spoke to a friend of mine about it and she helped me to understand that their family is a mirror of my own family. I have been given an opportunity to heal my inner child by helping another child. It's a very amazing experience.

[Liara Covert]

Megan, very often, a little voice inside tells you it knows best. You dosern whether the voice you hear is ego or soul-love. Perception is subjective and ever-changing, whether or not you notice. Love is the ultimate mirror. It only reflects truth. You see only what you choose.

[Jeanne]

"I look in the mirror and what do I see? An older, grayer, wrinkled me!" Then I look again and laugh, because I'm reminded that Things Are Not What They Seem. In this case, thank God! I think what we see depends on which eyes we're seeing with. If that makes sense.

[Robin Easton]

What a truly delightful story, dear Liara! The mirror for me is like the Earth or Life or the Universe: It just is and only reflects what is. What I do with that is up to me. The reflection is merely that, a chance to reflect and make choices. I agree with what you wrote above; there is no good or bad. There just IS. What an astounding reality to live in an existence that is all choice, all love. And for me in the arms of that IS is great peace because there is an absence of all judgment. Life just embraces and in that (for me) is a deeply moving compassion. It brings tears to my eyes. What a world. Thank you dear friend. I SO love these little stories. They are such a magical way to learn and "reflect". Love, Robin

[Liara Covert]

E.Michelle, when you choose to sense meaning where you are, then you always find it. As a person is ready to reconnect with the inner child, opportunity knocks and the person opens the door. You choose to let sunshine in.

[Liara Covert]

Jeanne, perception shifts when a person is ready to peel away layers of misperception. When you choose to focus on appearance, or apparent lack, then you distort the true reflection staring back at you. As Marcel Proust says, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."

[Liara Covert]

Robin, a person who chooses to reflect is awakening to the point where he is ready to address something painful he has avoided. As you say, the mirror only reflects truth. The eye of the beholder decides what he is ready and willing to ascertain and embrace. To recognize the impulse to judge is a step toward moving beyond it.

[soulMerlin]

the truth in reverse
xh

[Liara Covert]

soulMerlin, you are the source of any answers you are seeking. The answer to all is love.