The Master began speaking. “When you spontaneously laugh, are you thinking?” he asked.

“No,” Leela responded.

“When you experience deep peace, are you thinking?” the Master asked.

“No,” replied Akina.

“When you are overtaken with love for someone, are you thinking?” the Master asked.

“No,” responded Tonga.

“When you are in a state of awe, are you thinking?” the Master asked.

“No,” Bizah said.

The Master then fell silent and his students joined him in meditation.

“Bizah, look at that mountain over there and see how the shaded areas reflect the clouds in the sky above. In this way, when we look at the mountain, we can also see the clouds.

“Yes, I can see that, Leela,” responded Bizah. “It’s just like how the outer world reflects back to us something about ourselves. Like the Master said, ‘As without, so within.’”

“And let’s not forget ‘as within, so without,’” added Leela. “Nature sure can remind us of principles of truth if we are open to its language.”