Another Zen Story Regarding Mind

Hogen, a Chinese Zen Master, lived alone in a small temple in the country. One day four travelling monks appeared and asked if they might make a fire in his yard to warm themselves.

While they were building the fire, Hogen heard them arguing about subjectivity and objectivity. He joined them and said: " There is a big stone. Do you consider it to be inside or outside your mind?"

One of the monks replied: "From the Buddhist view point, everything is an objectivity of mind, so I would say that the stone is inside my mind."

Hogen then observed: "Your head must feel very heavy, if you are carrying round a stone like that in your mind!"

Source: Zen Flesh and Zen Bones. Paul Reps. Penguin. London.