Friday, May 23, 2008

Are you a Student or a Master?

What differentiates a master from a student?

Skill? Knowledge?

Here is a story:

After winning several archery contests, the young and rather boastful champion challenged a Zen Master who was renowned for his skill as an archer.

The young man demonstrated remarkable technical proficiency when he hit a distant bull's eye on his first try, and then split that arrow with his second shot. "There," he said to the old man, "see if you can match that!"

Undisturbed, the master did not draw his bow, but rather motioned for the young archer to follow him up the mountain. Curious about the old fellow's intentions, the champion followed him high into the mountain until they reached a deep chasm spanned by a rather flimsy and shaky log. Calmly stepping out onto the middle of the unsteady and certainly perilous bridge, the old master picked a far away tree as a target, drew his bow, and fired a clean, direct hit.

"Now it is your turn," he said as he gracefully stepped back onto the safe ground. Staring with terror into the seemingly bottomless and beckoning abyss, the young man could not force himself to step out onto the log, no less shoot at a target. "You have much skill with your bow," the master said, sensing his challenger's predicament, "but you have little skill with the mind that lets loose the shot."

So, what differentiates a master from a student? Degree of Awareness!

7 comments:

Alexander M Zoltai said...

I love stories like that!

Discipline of mind is THE skill...

~ Alex

Amarendra said...

Thanks, Alex! Such STORies have so many hidden lessons STORed for us!

Al Diaz said...

Hi

Great post! Thanks.

Ilumine Ao,
Al Diaz
www.thetitusconcept.com
http://ilumine-ao.blogspot.com

Amarendra said...

Thanks Al, for your visit! It is great to see you inspiring the world towards freedom and empowerment!

Anonymous said...

What an uplifting story! I'm grateful to you for sharing. It encourages people to raise their awareness about their thoughts and action. We can each learn new things.

Amarendra said...

Thanks, Liara, for your acknowledgement, encouragement and support! You are an angel!

Martin MY said...

Lovely story that puts a good perspective on the question raised.

Bravo:)