One day a Monk was walking with his young disciples and he entered a forest.

They came across a herd of sheep. Among them was a young lion, bleating and running like the rest.

Curious, the monk & his disciples stopped and watched.

A shepherd nearby explained, “That lion was born among these sheep. It thinks it’s one of them.”

The monk smiled. He approached the young lion, who trembled in fear and tried to run away. The monk gently caught it by the mane and led it to a nearby lake. Pointing to the reflection in the water, he said “Look carefully, my child. You are not a sheep. You are a lion.”

The young lion gazed at its reflection, strong, proud, majestic and then at the sheep beside it. A deep realization dawned. It let out its first mighty roar, echoing through the forest.

The monk turned to his disciples. He said, “We must realize our true nature. A teacher (Guru) plays this role to show you a mirror. This mirror helps you to see your reflection and realize who you are. It also helps you understand who you are meant to be.”

With this reflection through knowledge, faith, and courage, we awaken the power that was always ours.