After a long and arduous journey a young man arrived at a remote Zen monastery tucked away in the forest and found the sage he was seeking. ;I want to learn to meditate and free myself from suffering,' he explained. 'But I have doubts as to whether I can do it. I come from a wealthy family and have never worked for anything. I lack discipline and am easily distracted.'
'But there is something you like to concentrate on,' the sage looked at him penetratingly.
'You must mean chess,' replied t youth after a moment's thought. 'I love the game and have played it a lot.'
'That will be a good start,' remarked the sage. He clapped his hands and a young disciple quickly appeared. 'Fetch the chessboard,' the sage instructed, 'and tell the others to come. Also, bring my sword.'
The boy excitedly departed. In his youth the sage had been a well known samurai who was renowned for this masterly sword skills.
The small group of hermitage residents gathered around the chessboard. The sage motioned to one of his disciples to sit at the board. 'I command you to play this young man in a game of chess. You have received my training since you were a boy and should be able to win. If you do not, I will cut off your head.' The disciple sat at the chessboard and looked trustfully at this teacher.
'And you, young man, should be able to win because chess is the only thing you have concentrated upon. If you do not, then I will cut off yur head.'
The astonished young man thought, 'Surely he doesn't mean what he says.' But he saw the sage and all his disciples looked very serious, and he felt nervous and afraid.
The game began. The disciple played well and took the early advantage. The youth felt his heart pounding and his forehead was wet with perspiration.
Then his opponent made a mistake. Seizing the opportunity the young man concentrated upon his attack, playing chess as never before in his life. In his intensity the chessboard became his whole world. A great calmness swept away all feat. With heightened perception he saw easily how to checkmate his opponent in only a few moves.
For the first time he looked at the disciple playing opposite him. He saw a face of peace and purity, shaped by years of self-discipline. Then he thought of his own life, wasted in idleness. With a steady hand he deliberately made a bad move, then another, destroying his position and leaving himself defenceless. Although he knew he might soon die, his spirit soared in happiness.
Suddenly the sage flung the chessboard to the side, sending the pieces flying. The two contestants sat stupefied.
'Here, no one loses their head,' the sage quietly, 'but many find their souls.'
'Young man, you are capable of more than you think.' The sage explained, 'To remove suffering, both concentration and compassion are necessary. Today you achieved a state of complete concentration on the game. That depth will serve you well in meditation. From that concentration compassion arose, where you were willing to give your life for another.
'I am glad you have found me,' the sage gazed affectionately at the youth. 'Stay here and follow my training and I will show you the way to Enlightenment.'
…………………A traditional story of the East.Yogoda Satsang Oct-Dec 2007
-- With Regards and Prayers (D. Bhanudas) 89035 36440 Visit: www.vkendra.org See : http://dbhanudas.wordpress.com See :The Ideal of Self-Confidence
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