Thread: discipline

Bruno had a ninpo testing recently and it reminded me of one of LAO TZU writings (6th century BC).

After I had served him...for the space of, my mind did not venture to reflect on right and wrong,my lips did not venture to speak of profit and loss. Then, for the first time, my master bestowed one glance upon me-and that was all.

At the end of five years a change had taken place; my mind was reflecting on right and wrong, and my lips were speaking of profit and loss. Then,for the first time, my master relaxed hid countenance and smiled.

At the end of seven yeard, ther was another change. I let my mind and reflected on what it would, but it no longer occupied it self on right and wrong. I let my lips utter whatsoever they pleased,but they no longer spoke of profit and loss.Then, at last, my master led me in to sit on the mat beside him.

At the end of nine years, my mind gave free rein to its reflections, my mouth free passage to its speech. Of right and wrong, profit and loss, I had no knowledge, either touching myself or others.

...Internal and external are blended into unity. After that, there was no distinction between eye and ear, ear and nose, nose and mouth: all were the same. My mind was frozen, my body in dissoloution, my flesh and bones all melted together.I was wholly unconscious of what my body was resting on, or what was under my feet. I was borne this way that on the wind, like dry chaff or leaves falling from a terr. In fact, I knew not wheter the wind was riding on me or I on the wind.