A Tale about Temper
Have you ever met people who justify their actions with their temperament? Or who blame even their astrological sign?
For instance, people who seem rough or rude and justify this behavior with "I am very straightforward" or "I've always been like this, I don't hold back." Or those people who forget their commitments and justify it by saying "oh, you know us Geminis, we are so airy...".
This just seems like a way of avoiding responsibility - as if the fault lies with Mr. Temperament or Dr. Astro, who can take the blame one does not want to assume.
And what does this have to do with you or me? Well, if we want a slightly more balanced society, the first step is to acknowledge that we are imperfect. The second, is to admit our mistakes and limitations and then, work to improve them - should one wish to, of course.
Otherwise, it seems difficult for us to make positive contributions to the people around us and, consequently, to society.
I consider myself a work in progress, that will only end with my last breath.
And, as I mentioned in previous Notes, what I say here should not be understood as criticism but rather as a Note, a suggestion.
In that spirit, here's a short tale that represents this so simply...
A Zen student came to Bankei and complained:
"Master, I have an ungovernable temper. How can I cure it?"
"You have something very strange", replied Bankei. "Let me see what you have."
"Just now I cannot show it to you", replied the student.
"When can you show it to me?", asked Bankei.
"It arises unexpectedly", said the student.
"Then", concluded Bankei, "it must not be your own true nature. If it were, you could show it to me at any time. When you were born you did not have it, and your parents did not give it to you. Think that over."
If you'd like to dive in a bit more... Bankei was a prominent Japanese Zen master who lived on the 17th century. His approach to the Zen philosophy is known for the emphasis on the intrinsic, original, and uncreated nature of the mind. Some of his teaching have been translated to english by Norman Wadell and can be found in a book called "The Unborn".
image created with A.I. / © Gonçalo M. Catarino
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