Have you ever pushed yourself so hard that it became overwhelming?
In Buddhist teachings, there is a well-known metaphor using a stringed instrument—the veena—to illustrate the importance of balancing effort and rest.
In this article, we explore the story of Sona, recorded in the Zāḥāgama (Vol. 9, sutta 254), presented in a conversational style.
Sona’s Struggle — Feeling Untalented
I’ve been wondering… maybe I’m just not cut out for this.
What’s the matter, Sona?
I’ve been thinking for a long time… perhaps I simply don’t have the talent.
Talent? What are you talking about?
Ever since I became a disciple of the Buddha, I’ve been working so hard to keep up with everyone… giving it my all, over and over.
Indeed, Sona, you’re certainly a hard worker.
But no matter how hard I try, I can’t reach the Buddha’s level. Some of his teachings just don’t click with me, and I struggle to keep up with all the other disciples…
Don’t worry. I feel the same way about many things.
But everyone else keeps moving forward… leaving me behind.
I thought I was doing my best… but I’ve gained nothing. I have nothing.
Lately, I’ve even started losing the energy to try…
wondering if this path is really for me.
Compared to me, Sona, you’ve been doing more than enough—
—No, I can’t do it anymore!
I’m thinking of leaving the order.
Wait… what?
Calm down!
Fortunately, I’ve always had a comfortable life. I don’t lack for anything.
So, perhaps it would be better if I stepped away from being a disciple and supported the monks and fellow disciples of the Buddha financially.
That might benefit both them and myself.
No, that’s not—
—This is my limit.
But—
—It’s fine.
Consulting the Buddha
The disciples went to the Buddha (Sona’s teacher) to discuss Sona’s situation.
There’s something troubling Sona… what should we do?
I see. Very well.
I will speak with Sona myself.
Sona, the Buddha is calling for you.
Perfect timing. I also wanted to speak with you, Teacher…
Sona, I hear you are considering leaving the order. Is that true?
Yes… that’s correct.
You already know how I feel, don’t you, Teacher?
I recognize all the effort you’ve made.
I’ve tried my best, over and over, but this seems to be my limit. I’m sure of it.
I’d like to ask you something. Answer from your heart. I want to hear your honest feelings.
Yes.
Before you became a disciple, you mentioned living a relatively comfortable life…
Yes, that’s right.
And you also had some experience with music, didn’t you?
Specifically, playing a stringed instrument—the veena?
Yes. I’m confident in my ability to play the veena.
I’ve heard that. Sona is said to be quite skilled with stringed instruments.
Stringed instrument? The veena—what kind of instrument is that?
It’s an Indian string instrument, similar to what you might find in traditional Indian music.
Like this:
Learning the Middle Way from the Strings of a Veena
Sona, would you mind telling us about the veena?
Sure, I don’t mind…
To get a good sound on a veena, you need to tune it properly, right?
You mean tuning?
I guess it means adjusting it. You see, the strings are stretched across the veena. You play them to make sound, so they need to be adjusted, right?
Well, I understand that if the strings are too loose, you can’t make sound.
It’s not just a matter of tightening them.
If you pull too hard, they’ll break, right?
That would definitely be overdoing it.
The tighter the string, the higher the pitch.
Well, the length and thickness of the string also affect it…
Then how do you make the sound lower?
You loosen the string.
Also, if the string is longer or thicker, the pitch becomes lower.
I see. So it’s not like you can just start playing immediately.
If the string is too loose, you can’t even produce sound in the first place. So adjustment is necessary.
Well, just making a sound is easy…
No Right Answer, Yet Answers Arise
So, how do you get a good sound?
Of course, it’s no good if it’s too tight, and it’s no good if it’s too loose.
You have to carefully observe the state of the veena and adjust it accordingly. The instrument’s condition varies, and so do the conditions of the environment you’re playing in…
Simply tightening the strings won’t necessarily produce a good sound, right?
That’s right.
And loosening the strings alone won’t necessarily produce a good sound either, correct?
That’s right.
Then, what is the right answer?
As I said, it depends on the condition of the veena and the environment… there isn’t a single answer that works in every case.
So… there’s no one right answer?
Well, there isn’t a fixed answer, but there is a state that feels best for each moment.
In other words, the “right” answer changes depending on the situation.
Exactly. It’s not something you can grasp through words alone.
So… you have to try it yourself?
Yes, experience is necessary.
It’s not just knowledge you can read about—it’s something you cultivate through experience.
Sona, you truly understand, don’t you?
?
You have been deeply committed to your practice.
There is no need for doubt.
I believed effort would lead me forward…
Yet nothing has changed.
Perhaps I am simply not suited for this path.
But… you’re still trying, aren’t you?
Relax a little.
Don’t worry so much. Your teacher already said he understands, didn’t he?
But still…
Not Too Tight, Not Too Loose…
Effort is important, certainly.
But your current effort is like a string stretched so tightly, it seems about to snap.
Then I suppose I want to loosen that string that’s stretched to its limit… and leave the order———
———No, you don’t need to loosen it that much…
Are you really planning to throw away everything you’ve worked for, erase it all, and start over from scratch?
Because… I have nothing to offer on the path of the Buddha…
Trying to throw everything away is like loosening the string too much—it might not even be able to produce sound anymore.
Then… I could take the middle way. Leave the order, and support the Teacher and the other disciples as a follower, financially. That would be enough, right?
Knowing Sona, even if you leave the order and return to your previous life, you might overdo it anyway.
I don’t think that would be the best for you, Sona.
Do you really think that’s the Middle Way?
…
You understand, don’t you?
Yet, haven’t you already decided that you’ve gained nothing?
Disciple2:
No matter what I do, it’s useless.
I have no talent.
Everything I’ve done is wasted.
I will leave the order.
Disciple1:
How did you arrive at that answer?
Sona:
Why…?
Then what is the right answer?
You mentioned yourself that “it depends on the condition of the veena and the environment… there isn’t a single answer that works in every case,” didn’t you?
So the story of the veena is connected to the path of the Buddha…?
And you said that experience, not just knowledge, is necessary, didn’t you?
Yes. I did say that.
Are you assuming that grasping some knowledge or answer defines the “right” way in practice?
Or that finding a “middle way”—striking the balance—is automatically the correct path?
I… I’m starting to feel confused.
Am I really okay like this?
Have I truly understood?
You have understood.
If you were able to talk about the veena, then you will be fine.
If your teacher says that much, then you’ll be fine.
Yes. If you lack confidence, first trust the Buddha and his teachings, and also us, fellow disciples of the Buddha.
…You’re right. If the Buddha and everyone say that much, I’ll keep going a little longer.
But first, let’s relax a little (laughs).
Ah… yes (laughs).
To be continued…
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