"A young monk was studying Buddhism. He was walking up the hill to the temple 
enjoying the afternoon sun and contemplating inner peace and being one with the 
world around him. On his journey he noticed that the fence that surrounded the 
crop of corn the temple had been growing for the winter food supply was broken. 
He walked on being a part of the world around him. Then he noticed the cows had 
gotten into the corn and were munching away, "how happy they must be on this 
lovely day," he thought, and walked on. 

"When he got to the temple he greeted the master and in their conversation the 
young monk mentioned that he had seen the broken fence and the cows in the corn 
so happy on this lovely day. Upon hearing that the master picked up a stick, 
slapped the young monk on the top of the head and shouted as he ran to the 
fields, "You fool! That is all the food we have to eat for the entire winter!" 

"So this Buddhist spontaneity is something practiced and learned, but it is 
also a very natural reaction to the events that require natural reactions. 
Imagine again the martial artist on a dark street. Ahead of him is a person 
walking his way. Is the person a threat? Is the person not a threat? If I 
attach to the idea that the person may be a threat, I may avoid eye contact, 
adopt a defensive walk or a threatening walk so he does not mess with me. If I 
accept the idea that he is not a threat, I may be too caviler and leave myself 
open for attack while not giving the situation the attention it deserves. The 
middle way is simply to be one's self, remain aware, and like the good martial 
artist, ready to respond in any way the wind blows."
 

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110419205814AAljTkF
 



 
 
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