Zen Koans are anecdotal experiences from Zen monks in the late thirteenth century. In other words, they’re important personal, “big picture” lessons from monks that we too can learn from.
In this particular story, “The Taste of Banzo’s Sword”, you see an eager young man, Matajuro, trying to learn the lessons of a renowned master in the shortest time possible to show his father, a skilled swordsman. Matajuro explains he needs to learn these skills to show his father quickly. Master Banzo, insists that it takes at least ten years. Then, Matajuro explains that he will work far more intensively to hone in on these skills and become a master swordsman. So, Master Banzo says “oh, maybe thirty years”. Matajuro is confused and eager. It seems that harder more focused effort leads to more time to work with Banzo. Matajuro explains that if he devotes his life to serving Master Banzo he will, and wants to know how long it will take. Master Banzo says “in that case you will have to remain with me for seventy years. A man in such a hurry as you are to get results seldom learns quickly.”
This story gets directly to the point. Everyone wants FAST changes and results. To just snap your fingers and be what you want is clearly impossible. Becoming what you want takes time and learning what you need ultimately to become what you want does, too. When you find yourself in such a hurry it rarely produces great or even good results, at least when relating to a long term goal (like transforming your body or becoming a master swordsman for example).
This is a great story to read, maybe a few times when taking on a big challenge. If you aspire to become something, take the time to learn and truly “become” it. It is the “becoming of something” —the something that you want, takes lots of time, practice, and mastery.
I hope you find answers and guidance in this story when returning to a more normal training lifestyle. We all want to bounce back as soon as we possibly can an get into even better shape than before, so I'm telling you making your comeback smart and calculated will be sustainable and rewarding! Don’t be in a rush!
Thanks for reading and as always, if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below I will try to reply as soon as I can!
--Tom
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