Lieh-Tzu exhibited his skill in archery to Po-Hun Wu-Jen. When the bow was drawn to its full length, a cup of water was placed on his elbow and he began to shoot. As soon as the first arrow was let fly a second one was already on the string and a third followed. In the meantime he stood unmoved like a statue. Po-Hun Wu-Jen said: The technique of your shooting is fine, but it is still a technique. You look only like a statue from without. Now let us go up to a high mountain and stand on a rock projecting over a precipice and then you try to shoot. They climbed up a mountain.
Standing on a rock projecting over a precipice ten thousand feet high. Po-Hun Wu-Jen stepped backward until one third of his feet were hanging over the rock. He then motioned to Lieh-Tzu to come forward. Lieh-Tzu fell to the ground with perspiration flowing down to his heels. Po-Hun Wu-Jen said: The perfect man soars up above the blue sky or dives down to the yellow springs, or wanders about all over the eight limits of the world, yet shows no signs of change in his spirit. But you betray a sign of trepidation and your eyes are dazed. HOW CAN YOU EXPECT TO HIT THE TARGET?
Standing on a rock projecting over a precipice ten thousand feet high. Po-Hun Wu-Jen stepped backward until one third of his feet were hanging over the rock. He then motioned to Lieh-Tzu to come forward. Lieh-Tzu fell to the ground with perspiration flowing down to his heels. Po-Hun Wu-Jen said: The perfect man soars up above the blue sky or dives down to the yellow springs, or wanders about all over the eight limits of the world, yet shows no signs of change in his spirit. But you betray a sign of trepidation and your eyes are dazed. HOW CAN YOU EXPECT TO HIT THE TARGET?
Things go on changing. You must mirror them, you must reflect them, but remember always that the mirror remains the same. Mirroring does not change the mirror. Do not be identified with mirroring. Remember yourself as the mirror - that is what is meant by witnessing. And witnessing is meditation.
