"To grasp Zen, you must experience it. ...You should withdraw inwardly and search for the ground upon which you stand; thereby you will find out what Truth is."
Dogen-zenji
There was a time in Japan when Zen was not very popular. The Kaiser decided to send his samurais out to destroy all the Zen temples and places of learning.
Suzuki the Zen master was practicing Zazen when a very proud Samurai entered his chamber with the intention of killing him. As the warrior stood over Suzuki with his sword help high ready to strike a deadly blow, the master opened his eyes and smiled.
The Samurai stopped what he was doing because he had never experienced such a calm and peaceful energy that seemed to be radiating from this man. He said: do you realise who is standing before you, I am a man that can remove your head and kill you without blinking an eye. Suzuki simple took one step towards the warrior and said in a very matter of the fact way: do you know who stands before you, yes, a man who could lose his head and die without even blinking an eye.
The samurai warrior was so impressed that he dropped his sword and became himself a follower of Zen.
Suzuki the Zen master was practicing Zazen when a very proud Samurai entered his chamber with the intention of killing him. As the warrior stood over Suzuki with his sword help high ready to strike a deadly blow, the master opened his eyes and smiled.
The Samurai stopped what he was doing because he had never experienced such a calm and peaceful energy that seemed to be radiating from this man. He said: do you realise who is standing before you, I am a man that can remove your head and kill you without blinking an eye. Suzuki simple took one step towards the warrior and said in a very matter of the fact way: do you know who stands before you, yes, a man who could lose his head and die without even blinking an eye.
The samurai warrior was so impressed that he dropped his sword and became himself a follower of Zen.
Tao: In life it is advantageous not to allow things to disturb you and knock you off track. When you hope that things will change to suit your desires, you have given away the responsibility you have for the way you live.