Two of my favorite stories about center are about monks in the days of the Samurai. I have told them many times in my presentations to give people an intuitive feel for centered relationships. I offer them here for you to enjoy and learn from again.

The first concerns an arrogant sixteenth century Samurai. In the strict class system of ancient Japan, any show of disrespect to a Samurai was met, at the minimum, with a scolding, or at worst, immediate beheading. This particular Samurai had been wandering through the village growing increasingly irritated as he heard endless glowing acknowledgement of a revered monk.

Finally the jealous Samurai shouted, "Where is the monk? We'll just see what he has to teach me!"

The villagers said that he lived in the forest high on a mountain above the village. The Samurai proceeded to climb the mountain. When he reached the top he searched the forest until he finally came upon a monk who was sitting quietly under a tree.

"So, you're the monk they talk about. Well, Monk, tell ME the difference between heaven and hell."

The little monk looked up at him and said with a smile, "Get out of here. You disgust me. You're despicable. You have no right to even call yourself a Samurai."

Enraged at the monk's gross display of disrespect, the Samurai drew his sword and was about to cut the monk's head off when the monk calmly raised his hand and said, "That is hell."

Now at this the Samurai dropped his sword. In such awe that this little monk had the courage and the willingness to end his life in order to teach, he dropped to his knees.

As the Samurai bowed in gratitude, the monk smiled, once more he raised his hand, and said softly, "And that is heaven."

The second story took place during Alexander the Great's reign over the Asian Empire. The lieutenants of Alexander's army were out scouting the countryside, forcing all the religious factions to pledge their allegiance to the Empire. Upon their return, the lieutenants reported to their general that everyone had pledged allegiance except for one little monk who lived high in a mountain village. Enraged, the general donned his armor and rode his horse at top speed the 150 miles to the village where he found the little monk meditating under a tree.

He jumped off his horse, clattered over to the monk, and looked down on him. "Do you realize WHO I AM? Do you know that I could draw my sword and cut off your head without blinking an eye?"

The little monk looked up at the ferocious, pompous general with compassion. "And do you know who I am? Do you know that I could have you to draw your sword and cut off my head, without blinking my eye?"

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