Once upon a time a baby fish asked an older, larger fish about the sea.

“What is the sea? he asked. “I keep hearing about it, but I don’t know what it is.”

“Why the sea is all around you, little one.” said the grown-up fish.

“If that’s so, why can’t I see it?” asked the young fish.

“Because it is everywhere. It surrounds you. It’s inside and outside you. You were born in the sea and you will die in the sea. What’s more, you yourself are the life of the sea. When you swim you reveal its presence. It’s just because it’s so close to you that it’s very hard to see. But don’t worry, it’s there.”

Story from the Zen Buddhist tradition

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