n a bustling town, a young man was deeply troubled and restless, seeking enlightenment and fulfillment. He had heard of a renowned Zen master living on a distant mountain, and he believed that finding the master would bring him the answers he sought.

Determined, the young man embarked on a long and arduous journey. He climbed steep paths, crossed treacherous rivers, and braved harsh weather. After many trials, he finally reached the Zen master’s remote hermitage.

Breathless and weary, the young man asked the master, “I’ve traveled so far and endured so much. Can you tell me how to find peace and enlightenment?”

The Zen master smiled gently and replied, “The life you seek is not far. It resides within you, here and now. It is not in distant places or in the seeking itself, but in your present awareness and acceptance.”

The young man was taken aback but gradually understood that the peace he sought was not in the journey or external achievements but within his own mind and heart. He thanked the master and began the journey back home, now knowing that true fulfillment comes from within and is always accessible.