From the Mythological Stories and Fantasies Facebook page, we have extracted this narrative, based on one of the most fascinating characters in the country known as The Empire of the Rising Sun. The samurai, warriors of a military elite that ruled Japan for centuries, have always been the epitome of self-control, honor and bravery. They were also masters in the art of meditation and the subordination of impulses in favor of intelligence. In this story we learn how to deal with anger, rage and provocation, emotions that can cloud our judgment. Enjoy it :
“Once upon a time in ancient Japan, an old retired samurai dedicated himself to teaching the art of meditation to his young students. Despite his advanced age, the legend was that he was still capable of defeating any opponent.
One day a warrior with a reputation for being the best of his kind appeared there. He was known for his total lack of scruples and for being a specialist in the technique of provocation. This warrior waited for his opponent to make the first move and then, with a privileged intelligence to catch the opponent's mistakes, he attacked with lightning speed. He had never lost a fight.
Knowing of the fame of the old samurai, he was there to defeat him and thus increase his fame of invincibility. The old man accepted the challenge and they met in the public square with all the students and local people. The young man began to insult the old master. He spat on him, threw stones in his direction, offended him with all kinds of contempt for him, his relatives and ancestors. For several hours he did everything to provoke him, but the old master remained unmoved. At the end of the afternoon, exhausted and humiliated, the young warrior retired.
The disciples rushed to his teacher and asked him how he had cowardly endured such indignity without drawing the sword from him, taking the risk of being defeated.
– If someone gives you a gift and you don't accept it, who does that gift belong to? – asked the samurai.
– Whoever tried to deliver it – answered a disciple.
– Well, the same goes for rage, anger, insults and envy – said the master -, when they are not accepted they continue to belong to whoever carried them.