The Way

Once there was a warrior, who was known for his great abilities and mastery of all skill. Many young men came to him to learn to be warriors.

One day a lone man came to the camp of the old warrior, and when questioned he said he came to learn the art of the warrior.

The old warrior told the young man to sit, and sup with him. The meal was to be of fish and rice, and they both bowed their heads and said thanks for the grains and life of the fish. When they finished praying the young man began adding spices to his meal, as the old warrior sat and ate with a smile. After they finished the young man was made to perform many exercises of strength and might, all of which he performed without fail and with much skill.

When the young man finished his performance he was sent away, and told he could not become a warrior then.

One of the warrios students came to him and said "Master, forgive me, but I must know why you sent the young man away, he had much skill."

"He had much skill with his physical body, but he had no skill with his spirit, and was not ready to become a warrior."

While the old man enjoyed his food as it was, because it nourished his body, and represented the cycle of all things, the young man was concerned only with the temporary sensation of taste, and could not enjoy his food as it was.

This is the way of the warrior, to enjoy because of what life is, not because of what it temporarily isnt.

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Once there was a master, and he told the young monks to write about the place where they were happiest, using the most beautiful description they could.

All of the monks composed beautiful pieces of poetry and prose and presented them to the master. He read them aloud, and then told them that none was better than his own piece.

Shocked by what seemed to be arrogance in the master, the monks begin to protest, but were silenced by the master as he read his own work aloud.

"Here on the mountain, with myself."

In this way he showed them the essence of the Tao. In nothingness, is everything.