Emptiness

Apprentice: Master, my wife does not love me any more. What shall I do?

Master: All that we are to ourselves and others is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything and much more. What we think we become to ourselves and others as well. Tell me what are you to your wife? And what is she to you?

Apprentice: I do not know master. I have not thought about her or myself in such terms till now.

Master: And so you know why she does not seem to love you any longer.

Apprentice: What do you mean?

Master: What do I hold before your throat apprentice?

Apprentice: A dagger.

Master: You do not seem to have any problems understanding the nature of this instrument that is held before your throat. Neither do you seem to have any difficulties in understanding what can happen. Only perhaps why remains a mystery. 

Apprentice: I understand now master. I understand completely and absolutely.