Tuning the Lute (Sona)

Sona was a monk who came from a wealthy family of musicians. When he joined the Sangha, he was determined to reach enlightenment quickly. He practiced walking meditation with such intense, desperate effort that the soles of his feet blistered and bled, leaving a trail of blood on the walking path.

Despite this extreme physical effort, his mind remained agitated, restless, and far from peace. Exhausted and deeply discouraged, Sona thought, 'I have tried harder than anyone, yet I am not enlightened. Perhaps I should just disrobe and return to my wealth.'

The Buddha, knowing Sona's mind, visited him. 'Sona,' the Buddha asked, 'before you became a monk, you were a master of the vina (lute), were you not?'

'Yes, Lord,' Sona replied.

'Tell me, when the strings of your lute were wound too tight, was the music sweet and in tune?'

'No, Lord, the strings would snap or sound harsh.'

'And when the strings were too loose, was the music sweet?'

'No, Lord, the lute would not play at all.'

'When did the lute produce beautiful music?'

'When the strings were tuned right in the middle—neither too tight nor too loose.'

The Buddha smiled gently. 'It is the same with the mind, Sona. If you exert too much forceful effort, it leads to agitation, anxiety, and bleeding feet. If you exert too little effort, it leads to laziness and lethargy. You must tune your practice to the Middle Way. Balance your energy with calm awareness.'

Sona realized his mistake. He stopped forcing his mind and instead relaxed into mindful awareness. Tuning his mind like a master musician, he soon attained enlightenment.