The Song of The Bird

image from: www.makeupandbeautyblog.com

The disciples were full of questions about God.
Said the Master, “God is Unknown, the Unknowable. Every statement about Him, every answer to your questions, is a distortion of the Truth.”
The disciples were bewildered. “Then why do you speak about Him at all?”
“Why does the bird sing?” said the Master.
--------

Not because he has a statement, but because he has a song.
The words of the Scholar are to be understood. The words of the Master are not to be understood. They are to be listened to as one listens to the wind in the trees and the sound of the river and the song of the bird. They will awaken something within the heart that is beyond all knowledge.

(Anthony de Mello, "The Song of The Bird")


Kicauan Burung

Benak para murid dipenuhi macam-macam pertanyaan tentang Tuhan.
Kata sang Guru: "Tuhan adalah Yang Tak Dikenal, bahkan Yang Tidak Dapat Dikenal.
Setiap pernyataan tentang Dia, seperti pula setiap jawaban terhadap pertanyaanmu, hanyalah mengacaukan Kebenaran."
Para murid bingung. "Lalu mengapa anda masih juga berbicara tentang Dia?"
"Mengapa burung berkicau?" tangkis sang Guru.
---------

Burung berkicau bukan karena ia ingin menyatakan sesuatu. Ia berkicau karena ia ingin berkicau.
Kata-kata cendekiawan haruslah bisa dipahami. Kata-kata sang Guru tidak untuk dipahami, melainkan untuk didengarkan seperti orang mendengarkan desir angin di pohon, gemercik air di sungai dan kicauan burung. Semua ini akan membangkitkan sesuatu di dalam hati, yang melampaui segala pemahaman.

(Anthony de Mello, "Burung Berkicau")