The art of zen mastery over the mind can pervade outwards to other aspects of ourselves such as on our physical plane and as a result can cross to others' mind and their physical world also. We see it all the time on the streets of London (and other cities in the world) in the form of 'road rage'. We lose control of our mind this transfers to physical/verbal abuse of those around us and then maybe some of us in tune with our conscience may have feelings of guilt afterwards (which can be another manifestation of the anger).
The following story from the Japanese tradition may highlight the kind of inner strength which could protect us from 'losing it'. Meditation can lead you to the areas where you would not suppress the emotions associated with the threats, but that the threats no longer provoke an emotional response.
During the civil wars in feudal Japan, an invading army would quickly sweep into a town and take control. In one particular village, everyone fled just before the army arrived - everyone except the Zen master.
Curious about this old fellow, the general went to the temple to see for himself what kind of man this master was. When he wasn't treated with the deference and submissiveness to which he was accustomed, the general burst into anger.
"You fool," he shouted as he reached for his sword, "don't you realize you are standing before a man who could run you through without blinking an eye!"
But despite the threat, the master seemed unmoved.
"And do you realize," the master replied calmly, "that you are standing before a man who can be run through without blinking an eye?"
Comments