A Zen Teacher saw five of his students return from the market, riding their bicycles. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, "Why are you riding your bicycles?"
The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the student, saying, "You are a smart boy. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over, as I do."
The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path." The teacher commended the student, "Your eyes are open and you see the world."
The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant, nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel."
The fourth student answered, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all beings." The teacher was pleased and said, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming."
The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle." The teacher went and sat at the feet of the fifth student, and said, "I am your disciple."
Author Unknown
The moral of the story is that whatever you do do it just for the sheer joy of it. Even if it is work. The moment the achieving mind comes into play joy gives way to worry and it is no more fun to go the workplace anymore. And the best way to attain a joyful mind is to go cycling. Cycling not only gives one an uplifting experience but also infuses the cyclist with an overwhelming amount of oxygen bringing him out of the mediocre state into an exalted state. This makes it easy for us to go about our daily rigmarole and without much ado. Things happen by themselves and we become just a witness to it.
I have had more than three years experience in cyling, which is my only mode of transportation. I not only go for joy rides on my bike but also use it to go to the workplace and for running errands. And I can say with conviction that cylcing has changed my life beyond imagination.
