Chi Hsing-tzu was training gamecocks for the king. After ten days the king asked if they were ready.Instead of talking about gamecocks, I'm going to write about bread.
"Not yet. They're too haughty and rely on their nerve."
Another ten days and the king asked again.
"Not yet. They still respond to noises and movements."
Another ten days and the king asked again.
"Not yet. They still look around fiercely and are full of spirit."
Another ten days and the king asked again.
"They're close enough. Another cock can crow and they show no sign of change. Look at them from a distance and you'd think they were made of wood. Their virtue is complete. Other cocks won't dare face them, but will turn and run."
~ from Chapter 19, Burton Watson translation ~
We live in a society that stresses instant self-gratification. See something you want? Charge out and get it. Find a few obstacles in your way? Run over them like a mighty steamroller! Rush, rush, rush.
Most of the good things in life take time. If you rush them, they won't turn out they you want at all.
Take homemade bread, for example. You can't simply throw all the ingredients in a pan and bake it. If you do, you'll wind up with something alright, it just won't happen to be bread!
You have to knead the dough. You have to allow time for the dough to rise and then you must knead it again. It's not something you can rush.
For the most part, life is the same way. There will be times in which we are engaged in frenetic activity, but too much activity and the organism will burn itself out. We need times of repose and sleep. We need time for frivolity and laughter. We need time for love and tenderness. And we need time to be alone to meditate and reflect.
Zhuangzi urges us to train ourselves to be ready to act when the situation calls for it; adequate training takes time.
To read more musings about the Zhuangzi, you can visit the index page for this ongoing series.
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