When he was carried across the raging rapids by a very skilled and experienced ferryman, he asked on landing to the other side if was easy to learn to become such a skilled boatman.
"Oh, a good swimmer could learn it quickly .And a good diver would not even need to learn " the old man told him.
Puzzled by this reply, he said nothing, paid, bowed and went on his way.
On meeting Master Confucius, he told him the tale. "Why did he say that? I am very curious, especially the bit about the diver."
Laughing, Confucius said: 'I have explained this to you many times, using different words but you still fail to understand.
Listen and this time...remember. Anyone who can swim can learn because there is no fear of water.
A good diver knows it without having to learn because water has become his element and arouses no emotions.
And nothing disturbs the faculties and actions of one whose interior is untroubled.
When people gamble for a penny they remain composed, when it is a lot of money they become nervous and when it is gold they lose their heads.
Their acquired abilities remain the same but their ability to deploy themselves depends upon their freedom from distraction by an exterior object.
Attention paid to exterior things can trouble or affect the interior."
Clever chap is right too.
"Oh, a good swimmer could learn it quickly .And a good diver would not even need to learn " the old man told him.
Puzzled by this reply, he said nothing, paid, bowed and went on his way.
On meeting Master Confucius, he told him the tale. "Why did he say that? I am very curious, especially the bit about the diver."
Laughing, Confucius said: 'I have explained this to you many times, using different words but you still fail to understand.
Listen and this time...remember. Anyone who can swim can learn because there is no fear of water.
A good diver knows it without having to learn because water has become his element and arouses no emotions.
And nothing disturbs the faculties and actions of one whose interior is untroubled.
When people gamble for a penny they remain composed, when it is a lot of money they become nervous and when it is gold they lose their heads.
Their acquired abilities remain the same but their ability to deploy themselves depends upon their freedom from distraction by an exterior object.
Attention paid to exterior things can trouble or affect the interior."
Clever chap is right too.