A Life Skills Group Community Group
All are welcome to join our group. We're here to share advice, encouragement, and ideas on how to build better lives for ourselves. We can discuss all aspects of daily living, along with anything else that’s on your mind. Each of us knows a little, and together, we know a lot that can help us each to reach higher and go further in life. There's such a lot...
A samurai who was known for his nobility and honesty, went to visit a Zen monk to ask him for his advice.
When the monk had finished his prayers, the Samurai asked, “Why do I feel so inferior? I have faced death many times, have defended those who are weak. Nevertheless, upon seeing you meditating, I felt that my life had absolutely no importance whatsoever.”
“Wait. Once I have attended to all those who come to see me today, I shall answer you.” – replied the monk.
The samurai spent the whole day sitting in the temple gardens, watching the people go in and out in search of advice. He saw how the monk received them all with the same patience and the same illuminated smile on his face.
At nightfall, when everyone had gone, he demanded: “Now can you teach me?”
The master invited him in and lead him to his room. The full moon shone in the sky, and the atmosphere was one of profound tranquility.
“Do you see the moon, how beautiful it is? It will cross the entire firmament, and tomorrow the sun will shine once again.”
“But sunlight is much brighter, and can show the details of the landscape around us: trees, mountains, clouds.”
“I have contemplated the two for years, and have never heard the moon say: why do I not shine like the sun? Is it because I am inferior?”
“Of course not.” – answered the samurai. “The moon and the sun are different things, each has its own beauty. You cannot compare the two.”
“So you know the answer. We are two different people, each fighting in his own way for that which he believes, and making it possible to make the world a better place; the rest are mere appearances.”
When the monk had finished his prayers, the Samurai asked, “Why do I feel so inferior? I have faced death many times, have defended those who are weak. Nevertheless, upon seeing you meditating, I felt that my life had absolutely no importance whatsoever.”
“Wait. Once I have attended to all those who come to see me today, I shall answer you.” – replied the monk.
The samurai spent the whole day sitting in the temple gardens, watching the people go in and out in search of advice. He saw how the monk received them all with the same patience and the same illuminated smile on his face.
At nightfall, when everyone had gone, he demanded: “Now can you teach me?”
The master invited him in and lead him to his room. The full moon shone in the sky, and the atmosphere was one of profound tranquility.
“Do you see the moon, how beautiful it is? It will cross the entire firmament, and tomorrow the sun will shine once again.”
“But sunlight is much brighter, and can show the details of the landscape around us: trees, mountains, clouds.”
“I have contemplated the two for years, and have never heard the moon say: why do I not shine like the sun? Is it because I am inferior?”
“Of course not.” – answered the samurai. “The moon and the sun are different things, each has its own beauty. You cannot compare the two.”
“So you know the answer. We are two different people, each fighting in his own way for that which he believes, and making it possible to make the world a better place; the rest are mere appearances.”
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89FNo energy, just going to do whatever. Sandra, It's hard to move at a certain time in life. You've been in your home forever, at least you'll be able to travel to the beach and enjoy. Oh, we did hear Boris Johnson's tenure ended due to a series of ethics scandals, accusations of dishonesty and a final collapse of government support that forced his recognation. What he didn't do like the...
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88FWhat I do like is early morning clouds and then they disappear and the sun comes out. That was it's cooler in the morning. I'm sitting here looking out the window at the hummingbird with the river and dike as a back drop. It's hard to invision ever leaving but I'm also a realist with aging, especially when the luncheon we had with thirty former classmates on Monday. Sandra, we get news of...
2. Take nothing personally.
3. Assume nothing.
4. ALWAYS do your best.
Try it; you will like it. And I love the parable. I love zen and bushido.
Hugs and Love,
Maria