Tuesday, July 10, 2012

46 ~on patience: zen story


WORKING VERY HARD



A martials arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, “I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long it will take me to master it?”

The teacher’s reply was casual, “Ten years.

Impatiently, the student answered, “But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice everyday, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?”

The teacher thought for a moment, “20 years.”


                                    —Zen stories to tell your neighbors, John R Suler.



Copyright © 2012 by THE PYTHAGOREAN STORYTELLER. All rights reserved.

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