Is That So Zen Story
- Dec 11, 2025
- 2 min read
Today we enter... Is That So?
A story that exposes reputation, accusation, innocence, and the futility of defending oneself.
A story where the ground drops out, and the only thing left standing is presence.
Let us step inside, slowly, bravely.
Let the Story Unfold
The Zen master Hakuin was praised far and wide for his purity and discipline.
One day, a village girl became pregnant.
Her furious parents demanded to know who the father was.
She finally whispered Hakuin’s name.
The parents stormed to Hakuin’s home, shouting,
“You have brought disgrace on our family!”
Hakuin simply replied,
“Is that so?”
When the child was born, they brought the baby to him.
“This is yours,” they said harshly.
"Take responsibility.”
Hakuin accepted the child without resistance.
“Is that so?”
He cared for the baby with tenderness,
begging for milk in the village,
raising the child as his own.
A year later, the young mother broke down in tears.
She confessed that Hakuin was not the father.
Ashamed, the parents returned to him and said,
“We are so sorry. The child is not yours.”
Hakuin handed the baby back gently and said,
“Is that so?”
Sit With the Meaning
Most of us spend our lives defending ourselves.
Explaining.
Correcting.
Proving.
Untangling misunderstandings before they spread.
Hakuin does none of it.
Not because he is passive.
Not because he is indifferent.
But because he sees clearly:
Reputation is wind.
Accusation is weather.
Truth does not need a spokesperson.
The Zen master’s “Is that so?” is not resignation.
It is freedom from the part of us that panics
when others misunderstand who we are.
He lets the world’s stories pass through him
without gripping,
without arguing,
without fighting for an image.
His peace does not depend on being seen correctly.
This is the heart of Zen:
A self unhooked from praise or blame
cannot be shaken.
Turn Inward With Your Parts
Which part of you rises immediately to defend your innocence, intentions, or image?
What happens inside when someone believes something about you that is not true?
Which part fears the loss of reputation, approval, or belonging if you do not correct the story?
Let Expression Rise
Choose the doorway that feels open.
IFS Journaling
Write from the part that needs others to understand you.
Let it share:
what feels threatened when someone misjudges you
what it fears would happen if you stayed silent
what it believes defending your image protects
IFS Parts Art
Draw the feeling of accusation in your system.
Beside it, draw the feeling of release,
what “Is that so?” evokes in your body or energy.
Somatic IFS
Stand with your shoulders tense,
your chest tight,
your jaw set,
the posture of someone bracing to defend themselves.
Hold it for a few seconds and notice the sensations.
Then slowly soften your shoulders,
loosen your face,
and let your breath deepen.
Feel what shifts when the body stops defending.
And if none of these feel right, simply rest with the story.
Let the silence do the holding.
Stay here with your parts as long as you like,and we will meet again in the next story.
Continue Exploring the Zen Stories
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