Learn to Count

ByMatthew

When angry count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred. – Thomas Jefferson

I love this.

It reminds me of the following exchange between The Buddha and a young man:

Young Man: Master how long will it take for me to achieve enlightenment?

Gautama Buddha: It all depends on you . . . .

Young Man: If I put in ten hours of meditation every day how long will it take?

Gautama Buddha: Maybe ten years

Young Man: What if I put in fifteen hours meditation?

Gautama Buddha: Maybe fifteen years.

Young Man; [getting irritated] What if I meditate for twenty hours?

Gautama Buddha: Maybe twenty five years.

The young man was almost infuriated.

Young Man: I cannot understand your logic – the more effort I put in, the more time it will take – this is ridiculous, Please explain.

Gautama Buddha: As long as you are fixated and obsessed about your goal you will not achieve it. Just do spiritual practice without one eye on the goal. Let events take their shape.

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