In the classic TV series “Kung-fu”, the young Cain (Grasshopper) is searching for answers in the Shaolin temple – and the world outside – just like the rest of us. During his years of training at Shaolin, he builds a close bond of love and trust with his Master. The wise, elderly Monk shares his wisdom with him in many situations and courtyard conversations.
I will share one such gem with you now.
Grasshopper: “Master, what then, is the nature of man?”
The Master: “The ancients say that man is 3 things”
Geez…3 things?
Anyway, I am curious, and I am sure you are as well.
This is what the Monk told Grasshopper.
1. what he thinks he is:
This appears quite straightforward.
But here’s a small note:
I have put a clock in the middle, just to remind you that what you
think
you are can change with time.
As time goes by, as you age, as circumstances change, what you think you are, can and will change.
Provided you don’t cling to past thoughts!!
Knowing this can actually give you a big taste of freedom.
Why?
Simply because – it allows change in your life. What you think you are right now is not carved in stone.
However, we won’t stop here. We want to get a bigger Aha!
So, let’s find out about the 2nd thing.
2. what others think he is:
This appears quite straightforward too. I have shown it in dotted lines and a different color of text,
sorry, if it’s too obvious…..but let’s say it
What you think you are and what others think you are need not match.
In fact, they could be poles apart.
But here’s another small note:
I have again put a clock in the middle, just to remind you that what others think of you can change with time as well.
As time goes by, as they age, as circumstances change, what others think you are, can and will change.
Provided they don’t cling to their past thoughts of you!!
Knowing this can free you from trying to look good for others all the time.
Why?
Simply because – you can’t. You have to allow for change in their life as well.
However, we won’t stop here. We want to get a bigger Aha!
So, let’s find out about the 3rd thing.
3. what he really is:
Oops! What did he mean by that – what he really is?
Have we reached a dead-end? Perhaps not; for we have a big clue here
Whatever a man really is
– It’s not what he thinks he is.
– It’s not what others think he is.
– It’s not something that changes with time!
Now what on earth can that be?
Moreover, how’s that possible? As we have seen, everything we know about ourselves changes with time
Grasshopper has given us a clue from the past. It might take us closer to the treasure.
Why?
If there is a changeless essence that we have been unaware of all our life, we can’t just give up.
It is the master key to freedom!
Because finding that will set us free forever.
The Urban Monk diaries 
n I’m in…
n I love you…
muaaah!
:) thankss and gud luck.
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am sure the answer is so simple , i will be banging my head against the wall.. u r planning to tell right, or is the suspense going to continue till we figure it out ourselves??
@seeker: :-) C’mon!! just when we are starting to have fun, you want the answer? Don’t worry. I’ve left tons of clues for you all over the place. You are sure to stumble upon them if you look carefully.
The Aha! is reserved only for the most courageous of treasure hunters and you could be one of them! So, keep at it.
Meanwhile, all I can say is ‘fasten your seat belts’. Its a stomach-churning ride from here on!!