Taming the Terror Within and Without

Taming the Terror Within and Without

Some of us like to hear those ‘master and disciple’ stories from time to time.  Here is one.

A master and disciple were seated in the tea house taking their tea.  As the master poured some tea into their cups the disciple began talking about recent events.

“Master, news from the village reports that some special forces have killed a known terrorist leader who was in hiding!”

“Yes,” replied the master.

“Well, it is wonderful,” continued the disciple.  “There are now more opportunities for peace.”  His face beamed as he spoke.

The master greeted him with a wan smile and then began to speak.

“Yes, there will be some more opportunities for peace on the outside, which is very good.  But, I fear, much peace within still needs to be tamed.”

“Master!” exclaimed the disciple, “that sounds interesting, but also a bit of a riddle!”

The master then told a story.

When they were growing up a brother and sister used to often engage in banter.  One day the banter became a more serious argument.  The sister tried to come closer and jostle her brother a little bit.  Somehow, he became filled with rage and pushed his sister.  As she was propelled backwards in the direction of the wall both of them looked at each other in horror!  The brother was very ashamed of his behaviour.  He learned a great lesson that day and the incident still chills his soul.

The master then addressed the disciple directly.

“We all need to work to tame the terror in the people and structures around us and in our world at large.  But we each have a capacity for rage and terror.  Until every person tames their terror within we will never have complete peace.  If we are at peace with ourselves then we have no need to disturb the peace of others.

The master continued in a low voice.

“You know the Golden Rule, ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’.  Well, when we allow ourselves to be overtaken by our rage we twist the Golden Rule into ‘incite terror unto others as you would have them incite terror unto you’.  As you can see, it shows little genuine love of others and little genuine love of self.”

At these words, the master could see that his disciple’s face was ashen and his jaw had dropped.  Looking out the window, the master saw some women practising their tai chi in the village square.  Watching the gracefulness and discipline of their moments was bringing him to stillness and peace.  With his hand he gestured for the disciple to watch the women.

“Tell me,” asked the master, “what stirs in you as you watch the women?”

“I am struck by their focus and poise.  Also, by their sense of peace and harmony in movement.”

“Ahh!” replied the master.  “The peace in them has spread to you.  Let us drink our tea in peace and hope that other people too may be shown peace by experiencing us.”

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