Saturday, 27 May 2023

"Don't let the sun go down on your anger"

 






A long time ago during the reign of the Tokagawa Shogunate a samurai set out on an errand.

Precisely one year ago to the day he had lent 10 koku to a fisherman in a small coastal village nearby, and today was the day the fisherman had promised he would repay the debt. The samurai arrived in the village at noon and upon inquiring at the fisherman's home he was told by the fisherman's wife that he would find the man down at his boat working on his nets. Upon seeing the samurai coming up the beach the fisherman threw himself to the ground and bowed his head to the sand. "Get up," said the samurai, "As agreed it has been one year and I have come to collect the money you owe me." "I have not forgotten my debt to you," said the fisherman, who now stood but with his head still bowed, "but it has been a very bad year for me and I regret that I do not have the money I owe you."

Hearing this the samurai, who was not a man known for his patience, flushed with anger and quickly drew his sword, preparing to kill the fisherman then and there. "Why should I not simply slay you instead?" shouted the samurai as he raised the deadly blade above his head. Fearing that his life was at and end and having nothing to lose the fisherman boldly spoke out. "For some time now I have been studying martial arts," he replied, "and one of the lessons that my master teaches, is
never to strike when you are angry." "I beg you," said the fisherman, "give me one more year to pay you what I owe."

Thinking about what the fisherman had just said the samurai slowly lowered his sword. "Your master is wise," said the samurai, "as a student of the art of the sword I too have heard that lesson many times, but sometimes I get so angry I act without thinking." Putting away his sword the samurai spoke in a voice that was used...... to being obeyed. "You shall have another year to repay your debt to me," he said, "but when I return if you do not have all the money you owe me I shall not hesitate to take your life instead." and without another word he turned and walked away.

Having left the village later than he intended to it was already dark by the time the samurai arrived home. Seeing no lights on in the house he crept in quietly not wishing to wake the servants or his wife. As he entered his bed chamber he notice that there were two persons lying on his futon, one he recognized as his wife and the other from their clothing was unmistakably another samurai.

Swiftly he drew his sword and as his anger quickly grew he moved in to slay them both. Just then, as he was about to strike, the fisherman's words came back to him,
"never strike when you are angry." This time I shall follow the lesson he thought to himself, pausing he took a deep breath and tried to relax, then on purpose he made a loud noise. Hearing the sound both his wife and the stranger immediately woke up and when his wife had lit a candle he found himself face to face with his wife and his mother who had dressed up in his clothes and another set of swords.

"What is the meaning of this," he demanded, "I almost slew you both." His wife quickly explained that when he had not returned by night fall they decided to dress his mother up in his clothes so that in the event that an intruder entered the home they would be frightened off at the sight of a samurai in the house.

A that moment the samurai realized that his habit of "striking without thinking" had almost cost him the life of his wife and his mother. One year later the samurai again walked down the same beach towards the fisherman. After exchanging the proper formal greetings the fisherman said, "It has been an excellent year my Lord, here is all the money I owe you as promised, and with interest."

"Keep your money," replied the samurai, "You do not know it, but your debt was paid to me long ago."






Saturday, 20 May 2023

" A Good Day " Br David Steindl-Rast


 

Brother David Steindl-Rast — 96 year-old author, scholar, and Benedictine monk — is beloved the world over for his enduring message about gratefulness as the true source of lasting happiness. Known to many as the “grandfather of gratitude,” Br. David has been a source of inspiration and spiritual friendship to countless leaders and luminaries around the world including Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Thomas Merton, and more. 

Here is the link for " A Good Day" 




Sunday, 14 May 2023

Land of Hope and Dreams: Bruce Springsteen

 



Land of Hope and Dreams : Bruce Springsteen.

Grab your ticket and your suitcase
Thunder's rolling down this track
Well you don't know where you're goin' now
But you know you won't be back
Well darlin' if you're weary
Lay your head upon my chest
We'll take what we can carry
Yeah, and we'll leave the rest

Well, big wheels roll through fields where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams

Well, I will provide for you
And I'll stand by your side
You'll need a good companion now
For this part of the ride
Yeah, leave behind your sorrows
Let this day be the last
Well, tomorrow there'll be sunshine
And all this darkness past

Well, big wheels roll through fields where sunlight streams
Oh, meet me in a land of hope and dreams

Well, this train carries saints and sinners
This train carries losers and winners
This train carries whores and gamblers
This train carries lost souls
I said, this train, dreams will not be thwarted
This train, faith will be rewarded
This train, hear the steel wheels singin'
This train, bells of freedom ringin'

Ohh, yes, this train carries saints and sinners
This train carries losers and winners
This train carries whores and gamblers
This train carries lost souls
I said, this train carries broken-hearted
This train, thieves and sweet souls departed
This train carries fools and kings
This train, all aboard

I said, now, this train, dreams will not be thwarted
This train, faith will be rewarded
This train, hear the steel wheels singin'
This train, bells of freedom ringin'

Come on this train
People get ready
You don't need no ticket
All you got do is just get on board
On board this train (this train, now)
People get ready (this train)
You don't need no ticket (this train)
(Oh, I know you don't)
You don't need no ticket (this train)

You just get on board (people get ready)
You just thank the Lord (people get ready)
You just thank the Lord (people get ready)
You just thank the Lord (people get ready)
(Come on this train, people get ready)
(Come on this train, people get ready)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFn8IOoKfl8&ab_channel=Wi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBzKv8R6Ri8&ab_channel=enrisilver78

 


 




Forgiveness

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