Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site mgweed.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!hou5f!orion!houca!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!we13!mgweed!wfs From: wfs@mgweed.UUCP Newsgroups: net.sport Subject: Zen and Intuitive Response Message-ID: <1580@mgweed.UUCP> Date: Fri, 24-Jun-83 13:28:56 EDT Article-I.D.: mgweed.1580 Posted: Fri Jun 24 13:28:56 1983 Date-Received: Sat, 25-Jun-83 22:53:36 EDT Organization: Western Electric - Montgomery Illinois Lines: 28 Zen and Intuitive Response(part 4) A Zen story tells of a boy who wanted to be displined in the art of fencing. He sought the tutelage of a great master to begin his training. The master, who was in retirement, agreed to train the boy, whereupon the master made the student draw water, cook food, gather wood, and other everyday household duties. There was no formal training. Finally the disillusioned boy complained that he was there to learn the art of swordmanship, not innkeeping. The master agreed. the result was that the young man could not do any piece of work with a feeling of safty. For when he began to cook rice early in the morning, the master would appear and strike him from behind with a stick. When he was in the midst of his sweeping, he would be feeling the same blow from an unknown direction. He had no peace of mind; he had to be always on the alert. some years passed before he could successfully dodge the blow from whatever source it might come. But the master was not quite satisfied with him yet. One day the master was found cooking his own vegetables over an open fire. The pupil took it into his head to avail himself of this opportunity. Taking up his big stick, he let it fall on the head of the master, who was then stooping over the cooking pan to stir its contents. But the pupil's stick was caught by the master with the cover of the pan. This opened the student's mind to the secrets of the art, which had hitherto been kept from him. He then for the first time really appreciated the unparalleled kindness of the master. Through this mode of instruction the master opened the student's eyes to a reactive consciousness that is alert, ever watchful and responsive even though our mind or thoughts be occupied with other matters...................(to be cont'd. in part 5)