At that time, a traveling warrior had been passing through. His clothing, his posture, and even his way of speaking were unlike anything the villagers knew. They kept their distance, unsure of him, and he lived quietly on the edge of the village.
On a morning when the distant mountains had just begun to wear their first white, the washing machine broke. The villagers called for the only one who could repair it — a skilled beaver who lived by the river.
But as the hours passed, the machine remained silent. Worry turned to frustration, and frustration into sharp, rising voices.
“This is taking too long!”
“We won’t be ready for winter!”
The unseen stones of their words were thrown again and again, striking the beaver’s back. Each one slowed his hands, until his work nearly stopped.
That was when the warrior appeared. He stepped calmly between the villagers and the beaver, and in a quiet, steady voice, said:
“I will guard his back.”
The shouts faded. Silence filled the space.
The beaver breathed deeply and returned to his work. Before long, the machine rumbled back to life, and the villagers stood silently in line to use it.
Watching the blankets grow clean, the villagers realized:
Anger makes us foolish.
And sometimes, we are the ones feeding our own anger.
The warrior asked for no thanks. He simply bowed, and continued his journey down the mountain road.
The Zen Lesson
In Zen, helping is not always about doing the work yourself. Sometimes, the greatest support you can give is to create a quiet space, free from fear and noise, where others can focus. Stillness can be stronger, deeper, and longer-lasting than loud action.
Ask yourself
When someone around you is under pressure, will you add to their weight — or will you stand guard so they can give their best?
Give your quiet a form.
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