Nothing like a few Zen stories to get the ball rolling…
How Fast Can I Learn?
A martial arts student went to a renowned teacher and declared he wanted to study all the master’s teachings. He was devoted and ready.
And so they began!
After a few months he went to the master and demanded to know how long it would take to also become a master.
The teacher replied: “At least ten years.”
The student got impatient with the master and was not satisfied with the answer.
“But I want to master all of your work faster than that. If I devote every waking hour of my time to working your teachings, and practice tirelessly every day if necessary. How long will it then take?”
The master replied: “At least twenty years.”
Crossing the River
A senior and junior monk are walking down a path together and they come to a river with a strong current.
As they prepare to cross they see a young woman needing to cross the river but afraid to brave the waters.
She noticed the monks and asks for help.
The senior monk lifted the woman on his shoulders and lets her gently down on the other bank of the river, where they part ways.
As they walked along, the senior monk noticing the discomfort on the younger monk.
Hours go by and the junior monk is still upset.
The senior monk asks: “Is something in your mind?”
The junior monk says: “As monks we are not permitted to touch a woman, and yet you carry her across the river?”
The senior monk replies: “I left the woman hours ago on the bank of the river. However, you are still be carrying her”.
Moving to a New Village
There was a person moving to a new village, and he was wondering if he would like it there. He went to the village Zen master and asked: “Do you think I will like it in this village? Are the people nice?”
The master asked: “How were the people in the town where you come from?”
“They were nasty and greedy, they were angry and lived for cheating and stealing,” said the newcomer.
Those are exactly the type of people we have in this village, said the master.
Another newcomer to the village visited the master and she asked the same question, to which the master asked: “How were the people in the town where you come from?”
“They were sweet and lived in harmony, they cared for one another and for the land. They respected each other and they were seekers of spirit.” she replied.
Those are exactly the type of people we have in this village, said the master!
The Tree
The student saw the old master working diligently in the garden planting a bonsai tree.
He approached the master and said, “Master that tree you are planting, it won’t be flowering for fifty years. You won’t even get to see it flower. Why bother planting it?”
The master paused and said;
“Yes, the best time to plant this tree was 50 years ago. The second best time to plant this tree is right now!”