忍耐は岩をも透す
Nintai wa iwa wo mo tosu
Patience will pierce even a rock
A warrior’s greatest ability is patience. Likewise, a warrior’s greatest liability is thinking that they know. Long ago, a university professor visited the Zen master Nan-in searching for enlightenment. Before Nan-in could speak, the professor began to tell him all he knew about Zen. Nan-in smiled and began to pour him a cup of tea. The professor kept talking and Nan-in kept pouring. At one point, the cup began to over flow and the professor shouted, “It’s overfull, no more can go in!” Nan-in stopped pouring and said, “Like this cup, you are filled and nothing more can go in. How can I show you what Zen is unless you first empty your cup? Please come back when your mind is empty.” Technology in the 21st century has a way of lulling us into the same apathy as the college professor. There is a difference between information and wisdom and students must know the difference between the two. There are many who are informed, but few that are wise. We gain wisdom when we gain experience by actually applying the information that we’ve learned. In training, a student needs to come with their cup being at least half empty and they do this by having faith and trust in their teachers. How does a student come half empty? By having patience. Having patience gives the student space to see what they might not know or to realize that what they knew was limited or incorrect. Patience is wisdom and that’s why Lao Tzu said, “He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.” To not speak even if we think we know requires patience. In battle and in life, we need to have the patience to seize the opportunity when it arises at the most appropriate moment and that requires patience. If nothing more, a warrior is patient.
Today’s goal: Be patient with yourself and others because very person is suffering.