Discussions with the Master

I had spent the day walking. I saw the fiery red sun rise up above the horizon, I saw it sink slowly behind the mountains leaving a radiating aura of color. I saw the entire spectrum of light that passes on a single day. I saw the stars spring out of the dark and marveled. And so I wrote this when I returned home.

Seated around him were eight of his closest disciples, closest because they understood the least and had that much to gain. They had all studied under this man for ten years, with only two signs to show for their devotion. Their sword style was simple and, the master thought, they asked better questions.

"Master" says one disciple, "we have much contact with the outside world, to what extent should we allow ourselves to be involved? Is it good to be thus isolated?" The master replied "It is true we are isolated here, but not by desire, it is that your nature, my unconsious ambtions shape the environment around. Do you wonder why it is clean and tidy here? Why we devote a part of each day to servicing our lodgings. Why there are no loud voices, why each of you choose to run or walk here from the city yet I made no such prohibitions against cars. Do you not see that after awhile garments become cleaner, that it is not troublesome to tend to daily affairs. Why then do you make a distinction between the outside world and here? It is simply your adjustment to one set of standards. Do not consider others with different standards of living different. Like in swordsmanship-they have their own unique style. It may not be good, it may be unstructured, rigid, weak, flashy, or complex. Yet how much more so will your own style be strengthened by recognizing flaws in others and seeing it in yourself.

"Master, I know my self-worth, my strengths and weakness. Yet I still feel other`s opinions too strongly. How am I to deal with other`s comments and criticisms? I find it strangely difficult to weigh the truth of a man`s judgement." The Master replied " Let no man force his opinion upon you. To do so destroys your ability to judge the truth and sincerity of his words. Ultimately it takes the strong will to decide, but I would add it requires the accumulation of wisdom and knowledge to judge, confidence to choose and intelligence to see the changes that will happen based upon such a decision. All men will judge you, it is rare for a man to give you a chance to judge yourself. I give it to you now, the knowledge that the sole responsibility of any act of will is yourself. This is hard, people will call you arrogant, judgemental, prideful, egotistical and even self-centered. Better yet they will say righteous, accountable, dependable, self-sacrificing, even innocent and naive. Which word is the worst? the best? Why should it matter to you? Please think on that and prepare your thoughts for next meeting."