In the east, it is customary for seekers of Truth to travel throughout the country and challenge famous masters. This is not a hostile challenge, but a friendly one. For example, when Shankara began to talk with Mandal Mishra, he touched his feet and asked for his blessing so that Truth would prevail. When Shankara defeated Mandal Mishra, he immediately stood up, touched his feet and asked him to initiate him.
There is a famous saying in Indian philosophy: “Truth must prevail; it doesn't matter who lost."
This tradition passed on to China, Japan and other countries. And now, when we see two Japanese wrestlers, before the match begins, they bow to each other with great respect. There is no room for hostility.
If personal hostility manifests itself, then defeat is predetermined.
In the tradition of martial arts, it is not the individual who wins, but the art. Just as truth wins in philosophy, so art wins here. If there is no ego, then you cannot lose. If you are not there, if you are completely absent, then no sword will smite you. Even for one moment, a fighter should not think about himself, about his personal victory, since this moment will turn into defeat.
The same applies to all aspects of human activity. This is the science of winning!
The German professor Gerrigel studied archery in Japan. He was the best archer in his country. But in Japan, archery is not just a sport, it is an art, it is meditation.
The foreigner was confused because in his mind, if you always hit the bull in the eye, you are a great archer. And he always hit the target.
But his Master said:
- No, the main thing is wrong! We're not interested in the bull's eye; It’s not important for us to hit the target; the archer must focus on himself. You don't have to do anything, you have to let the arrow move on its own. You have to create the conditions and then wait and let it happen.
For the European mind this was completely incomprehensible. How can this happen if you don't draw the bow, if you don't do anything? How can this happen by itself? And even if this can happen, how will the arrow hit the target?
The master repeated many times:
- Forget about the goal. Even if you miss, it doesn't matter. First you have to get yourself in order.
Gerrigel said:
- What else can I do? I was the best archer in my country, I lost three years here training. I cannot understand what you are asking of me. I'm leaving tomorrow.
The master replied:
“It’s a pity, but before you leave, come see me tomorrow.” Let's drink tea and say goodbye.
The next day he came to say goodbye. The master was studying with the student. Dismissed, Gerrigel sat on a bench and began to watch. For the first time, it wasn't his concern. He sat relaxed, not thinking anymore, how to let this happen?
The morning sun was pleasantly caressing. He sat in the Master's garden, watching how the disciples had to allow the arrow to move towards the target: they did not force it, but simply let it fly.
The master took the bow. There was no tension in Gerrigel, since he was not interested in this, because he was leaving, so he could see more clearly that the Master was standing completely relaxed. When the arrow left the bow, he saw his hands - there was no tension in them. Pure grace. He looked at the Master's face and admired it. Quite suddenly, he understood what it meant to “let it happen.”
Gerrigel stood up and took the bow and arrow from the Master's hands. The master seemed to be expecting this and didn’t even ask what he was doing. He raised his bow and, not caring at all about the target, very relaxed and gracefully shot the arrow... It happened! He hit the target!
Master said:
- Great, you did it. You didn't do it, you let it happen.
Gerrigel wrote in his diary: “The difference was enormous. If I had left a day earlier, I would not have known the beauty of it! The master tirelessly told me about this for three years. I was tired; but he never got tired - every day the same thing. But this was my mistake. I was tense and all my efforts were aimed at hitting the target, and all he cared about was that I was graceful and natural. I was his target."
The master was happy:
“Finally, after three years, you managed to do it.”
Gerrigel replied:
“I didn’t try to do anything.” I was just looking at you. You taught me every day. I thought with my mind: “How?” But this is not a matter of the mind. Today there was no restlessness in me, my mind was silent. And I saw you for the first time - it’s wonderful!
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru