From the Zen book, A Handful of Nothing (available on Amazon)

A new year was approaching. In the village, the Spring Festival was underway. Monks visiting the village encountered people who were excited about goals they were setting to achieve in the new year that involved good luck, health, and prosperity.

A shopkeeper asked the young monk, "Are you looking forward to the new year? Stay in the village for the afternoon. There will be fireworks at dusk to ward off evil spirits."

"Evil spirits," the monk repeated, considering the words.

When he returned to the monastery, he found the old master in the garden, where the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers, heralding the arrival of spring.

"Master," the young monk said, "in the village, fireworks are being set off this evening to ward off evil spirits."

Wisely, the master replied, "And you are wondering if evil spirits are a reality?"

The monk smiled. "It seems you can see into my mind."

The master laughed, then turned and looked down. "See these flowers," he said, his hand gesturing. "To some, they are symbols of beauty and life. To others, who may have suffered from thorns or allergies, they might symbolize pain and discomfort."

The monk looked at the flowers, admiring the colors of yellow, red and purple. He breathed deeply to enjoy the calming aroma of roses, and the lavendar scent of hyacinth.

"When people believe in demons," the master continued in a calm, measured voice, "their belief is like their reaction to these flowers; shaped by their experiences, their fears, and their hopes. The mind is a powerful creator of realities. It can turn fear into a demon and misunderstanding into a malevolent spirit. But remember, these are creations of the mind, nurtured by ignorance and fear. Sometimes, beliefs are encouraged by those who have a personal interest in your belief in demons."

His eyes scanned the garden for a moment, then he said, "In a garden, if you plant flowers, flowers grow. In people, if you plant ignorance and fear, ignorance and fear grow."

A butterfly was flitting from flower to flower as the young monk followed with his eyes, watching as the butterfly seemed unconcerned with thorns it occasionally encountered. 

The old master turned to the young monk and said, "The true battle is not with spirits and demons outside of us but with the delusions within. Overcome these, and no spirit or demon can harm you."

The young monk bowed to his master and walked slowly through the garden, enjoying the glorious colors and fresh smells of spring. He reflected on the practice of seeing the world as it is, with a view unobstructed by the delusions and fears others want to plant within us.  

--by Ken Gullette