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This is my story of trying to persuade a Zen Buddhist Master to share his secrets.
Things have changed since I recorded this so make sure to stick round to the end of
the video to see what happens.
I’m in China at the moment and for the last 4 months my Master, Master Gu, and I have
been sharing Daoist philosophy here on YouTube.
Taoism is awesome and I’ve heard Zen or Chan Buddhism, the main form of buddhism in
China and Japan, is also awesome.
Now, I’ve found out about a little secret.
There’s a Zen Buddhist Kung Fu Monastery in the South of China that accepts foreigners.
So here’s the plan, go there, learn some buddhism from the master, share it with you
and do some kung fu backflips.
Sounds cool right?
The only thing is I’m just turning up and I’m not sure what the master will think
about the camera but I guess we’ll find out.
wow it’s incredible here, it’s a legit buddhist monastery.
ok this is the room, no electricity but surprisingly comfortable bed - even if it is a bit noisy.
ok the shufu’s not here, I’ll start the training and ask him when he gets here.
so the shifu arrived yesterday, after each meal he comes and sits on this tree.
slowly all the monks and guests join him, they ask him questions or meditate.
it’s a special experience.
he radiates an amazing energy.
I’m meditating with him and joining in the chanting and I’ll pop the question tomorrow.
ok, today’s the big day, it shouldn’t be a big deal I’m only asking him if he
wants to share some Buddhist wisdom with you but still.
I’m tempted to film it, it would be pretty awesome footage wouldn’t it? but it wouldn’t
be very respectful… so I’ll fill you in what happens.
so I went to his study he was sitting crosslegged in a big chair but he had guests.
I asked him if I could talk to him and he said later when we are meditating.
so, so far so good.
after dinner, I sat down by the meditation tree but shifu was nowhere to be found.
I sat there trying to meditate but actually thinking about what I was going to say to
him.
one by one the other monks left, eventually it was just me.
1 hour passed.
at this point, I wasn’t too sure if he had just forgotten or if this was a challenge
straight out of Karate Kid so I just kept sitting.
My back and hips were absolutely killing me but I kept at it.
I sat there for two hours, until it got dark and - yea sorry to burst your kung fu bubble
but - he didn’t come.
he must have been busy or something.
although my back was burning the process was enjoyable just for the anticipation that a
Zen Master would eventually come and give me his blessing.
Just had breakfast.
We had the conversation.
Bare in mind I’ve only been learning Chinese 5 month but I’ll re-enact it for you.
“shifu, my chinese name is, I am a disciple of sang feng pai. me and my master share daoism
videos. this has helped many people.
would it be possible for us to talk about buddhism?
He then said something along the lines of “when it is time to eat, you eat. when it
is time for kung fu, you kung fu. when you sit, you sit.
whatever you do, you do that and only that.
he didn’t need to say anything more, I knew the conversation was over…
I asked one of the monks why the master didn’t want to talk.
he said only those who are destined to meet the master can receive his wisdom.
I’m not too sure about that argument, what about those who can’t afford to come to
china?
I’ve heard that Zen can be pretty cryptic.
But anyway since the master won’t speak to you and I’ve already done quite a bit
of reading in preparation for our conversation, I’ll try to explain what the master meant.
Western society tells us that we need to learn lots and work hard for the good of all.
And sure, the efforts of generations of boffins means I’m able to talk to you through the
inter webs from China But on the individual level constant use of
the mind is tough.
This is because the world is far too complex for us to fully understand plus our brains
are hardwired to simplify it through stories.
For example “I am George and I’m not good at football” - but you know if I didn’t
tell myself that when I was younger I would have been just fine at football.
So, society teaches us to always be analysing but we have to make decisions on limited and
wrong information, so is it really any wonder so many of us are anxious or struggle to make
decisions?
This is why the master’s advice is so important.
When the master says "when it is time to eat.
you eat”, he is saying you should be fully engaged in that moment.
when he says it is time for kung fu. you kung fu. he means don’t try to intellectualise
it, just do it.
It’s only when we stop trying to analyse the world, when we stop thinking about living
in the world, that we actually live in it. and It’s only then that we can gain wisdom,
awareness of the world as it really is.
When your mind is still like this, you find decisions come easier as you rely on your
intuitions and you’re not anxious because in the present there is no right or wrong
decision - there just is what is.
Powerful stuff right?
Well it would have been nice to get the Master on camera but I gave it my best shot.
At least I’ve got a funny story to tell the grand kids.
So over the last couple of days the master has become more receiptive to the camera,
that's why I could get the meditaiton tree shot.
so I'm going to stay for another week, I'd love to share the master with you because
he's such a legend.
there's no wifi so I'll see you next week.