The Wind and the Lantern

A student asked the Master: “Master, how can I know if my soul is at peace?”

The Master lit a small lantern and placed it in the wind.

The flame flickered, but he said nothing.

After a while, the student spoke: “The flame trembles — perhaps my soul is the same.”

The Master blew out the lantern.“And now?” he asked.

The student was silent.

The Master smiled: “When the path remains bright even without the light —then your soul is at rest.”