Learn to Count

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.

Similar Posts