Lao Tzu was going for a morning walk. A neighbor who used to go with him, knew him – knew that he was a very silent man and did not like talking.

Once the neighbor mentioned that the morning was beautiful – it was a beautiful morning. Lao Tzu looked very puzzled. He looked at him as if he had said something mad. The man became restless. He said, ‘What is the matter? Why are you looking at me in such a way? Have I done anything wrong?’

And Lao Tzu said, ‘I am also looking at the morning, so what is the point of saying that it is beautiful? Do you think I am dead, I am dull or asleep? The morning is beautiful, but what is the point of saying it? I am also here, as much as you are.’

Since then the neighbor stopped talking. He used to follow him, walk with him, and after years of going for a morning walk with Lao Tzu he also became alert about what meditation is.

Then a visitor came to the neighbor and he also wanted to come for a walk. And the visitor said that day, ‘It is a beautiful sunrise.’ That day the neighbor understood. He looked puzzled as once Lao Tzu had looked puzzled at him, and he said, ‘Why should you mention it? I am also here.’

And Lao Tzu said, ‘Now do you understand?’

There is a way of being in contact with reality without words. In fact, that is the only way there is. Words don’t help, they hinder.