---

Han

Parable on Power and Love

In ancient times in China, there lived a boy named Yunshen.

From childhood, he dreamed of becoming an invincible warrior, unequaled in sword-wielding and able to defeat any opponent with or without the aid of weapons.

At that time, martial arts were in great honor. A person who was skillful in battle was admired by everyone.

Yunshen studied for several years under several famous teachers who were masters of different styles of combat. But he wanted more.

He participated in many competitions, perfecting his skills. He always tried to notice and learn anything new.

But one day, Yunshen lost a fight with one opponent, who was far superior to all the participants of the contest — by his cool demeanor and power. His skills impressed the young man.

Yunshen asked him:

“Who trained you in the skill of warfare?”

“I had a mentor who has no worthy adversary. His name is Shenli. But do not dream that you will be able to learn from him and become stronger than I!

“It would not be wise to go to him. His treatment to students is violent. And he shows these special techniques, only to six disciples who are elected after years of prior training. The rest of them are just kicked out with contempt, called unworthy of power and a waste of time.

“He lives in the mountains and requires austerity and complete obedience from his students. He selects just a very few students to study from him.

“Every six years, he arranges competitions for those who want to learn from him and selects a few people for preliminary study.

“And for the closest disciples — after several years of study — he conducts a final exam. First, they fight among themselves. The winner among them then fights against the teacher himself. And whoever bests the teacher — will be the successor and will lead the school.

“But still none of the students has been able to surpass him.

“And when the best of the students is defeated, Shenli expels him as well.

“I did not learn from him for a long time, but I do not envy those who were stronger than me and stayed to study further.”

… This story interested Yunshen, because, even if after a short training in combat skills the student of Shenli differed so much from all those whom Yunshen had met before — then how great must be the skill of the teacher and his best students!

And he went in search of the mentor Shenli. He was lucky because this was the very year that the teacher selected candidates as students.

… In the qualifying contest, Yunshen won one combat after the other and was the best. He was among the selected few who were accepted by Shenli for training.

* * *

But the joy of this success began to fade quickly.

Life next to the teacher was filled with such cold sternness that enjoying anything was impossible.

The more success a student achieved, the harder he was criticized so that the pride of achievements could not arise in him.

The body pain from the blows received during training was a mere trifle compared to the pain that was caused by communication with Shenli.

For a long time, Yunshen could not get used to how the mentor ridiculed any mistake of a student! And it happened always, whether it was at mastering methods of combat, or when cooking, or cleaning the school grounds. His caustic verbal comments were stronger and sharper than the sword blows!

Friendships between students, and helping one another — were punished at the school. Each person was to be responsible only for himself. And if a student tried to hurt anyone out of envy or resentment — it also was instantly punished.

Only cold imperturbable calm under any circumstance and an iron-hard self-control with no emotional outbursts were cultivated. Steel will had to be sharper than any sword in order to send any blow or to parry any attack.

One day, Yunshen had the courage to ask the teacher: why ridicule and humiliate the offending student? Is it not simpler to speak privately about this? Everyone is striving to become better!

Shenli replied:

“It is necessary! If insults and humiliations bring the student out of balance, he is not a warrior! He will lose the fight, giving in to emotions, if his opponent were to offend him!

“This world is cruel, and only the fittest can win in it!

“And each of these lessons is always useful for everyone, and not just for individuals!”

… Gradually Yunshen developed an iron will and endurance. He ceased to feel compassion for those who were near. He no longer tried to either protect other students from the wrath of Shenli, or to try to help them. He calmly looked at how, broken and unable to withstand the test, the student left the school. “Well, such is the fate of the weak! Perhaps, this will be my fate…” — Yunshen calmly thought.

Yunshen became accustomed to complying peacefully when Shenli mocked him, turning his slightest weakness into a subject for sarcastic comments. This continued up until such errors were eliminated completely.

He became used to the cold and despising silence of the mentor, to rare and dry words of approval, which could not even be rejoiced, because such emotions would instantly be met by a swift retribution from the teacher.

… So Yunshen’s skills in the control of his body and weapons during training increased manyfold.

But, it took six years. And soon, the last exams at Shenli’s school approached when the best student had to be selected, who was to fight against the mentor.

Yunshen was selected as the best by winning all the fights between students.

The fight between the instructor and the student started. Yunshen suddenly realized that he was stronger than his mentor, he saw how to defeat Shenli… But for a split second, he allowed himself to stop and feel sorry for the one who taught him all this… In that very moment, he was knocked to the ground by a blow of Shenli…

“Wimp, get away from here! You have not learned anything in all these years! How much efforts I spent on you — and all in vain! And you could have been the best! You were tempering your spirit and learned to have an invincible will! You will never become the winner, because you have not learned the law that only one person can ever be the strongest! You still are governed by the emotions of an insignificant little man!”

… Yunshen felt the familiar flow of hatred in the speech of his teacher. But it seemed to him that Shenli felt great relief that he had not been defeated…

… Well, that was the end of his studies with Shenli…

Yunshen bowed and walked away.

His mentor spat at him and turned to the other students, who were now dreaming to take his place…

* * *

For many weeks Yunshen traveled aimlessly without a goal, not knowing where to go. He knew he had mastered the great skills of warfare, but it did not bring him satisfaction.

The dream of his youth was, seemingly, achieved… But it was crowned by a defeat, not a victory…

Something important was still not understood…

He also thought: was it right that he spared Shenli?… But no: he understood that he did not want to take his place, becoming the same person as Shenli…

But how and for what purpose should he live now?

Yunshen… simply walked. The emptiness of an indifferent and cruel world surrounded him from all sides. And it made life… meaningless.

Lifeless mountains were all around. The blue sky was cold and indifferent. Blades of grass on the edges of mountain trails looked submissive and contemptibly weak…

“The world around you looks the way that you look at it yourself!” — he heard a soft, deep voice.

Yunshen saw Master Heavenly Heart, Who went to meet him.

Certainly, Yunshen did not know Who was in front of him. But the Strength and Peace of the Traveler were so great that it was impossible not to feel them.

The Stranger continued:

“Your world is empty, because your heart is devastated and does not know love!”

“Who are you to lecture me?”

“I am the One Who could be your Teacher. But you’re not ready to learn yet, although you have learned much already.

“Failures teach us more than victories.”

“Well, then defeat me! Let’s fight with swords!” — Yunshen said, thinking that he had met his adversary.

He offered Master Heavenly Heart his second sword, because the Master was unarmed.

“I do not need a weapon to win,” — Master Heavenly Heart said calmly.

“But how can I fight against someone who is unarmed?”

“I am not unarmed! Try to cut me with any weapon — and you will see how far you are from the perfection in the knowledge that you possess!”

… The fight was unusual. Yunshen dealt severe blows, but Master Heavenly Heart reflected every impact with His palm, and the sword could not even touch His hand, which possessed an unknown Power.

And then Master Heavenly Heart did not reflect the impact — and the sword of Yunshen passed through His body without causing any harm.

“Love triumphs even where nothing else can win! Those who are One with Tao, cannot be killed, and nothing can harm Them! Their Love is infinite, and It coincides with the Ocean of Tao!”

“I would like to be your disciple!” — Yunshen said and bowed to the Master.

“My name is Master Heavenly Heart. I will teach you, but not now.

“You liked the fact that air, at the behest of the Consciousness, can become dense, like a shield, and that human flesh — can become permeable, like water! But this is… just a spray of the Ocean of Power!

“Now you must find out what love is, and learn the lessons of love in the life of this world. Then — come to Me, and I will teach you that Love Which is the Creating and the Enduring Power of Tao!

“I’ll wait for you, Yunshen!”

* * *

Yunshen was used to performing any job perfectly: he learned — over many years of study — discipline in the execution of each task. His will was the will of a winner, which reaches any desired goal!

Yunshen set a goal — to find out: what is “worldly” love.

He remembered everything he knew about kindness and love. He went and tried to be kind to those who, according to his ideas, needed it. For example, he lived for a few days in the house of a lonely old woman and did all the work, which required the strong hands of a man.

He now liked to help people in a selfless way. However, he understood that he still did not know everything that he needed to learn.

… Soon he arrived at a big city. There he found a hotel where women — for a fee — gave men pleasure and affection.

He lived there for more than one day.

“It was very nice, but can it really bring one to the Perfection? Is that love?” — Yunshen thought.

Once, when Yunshen came out of that hotel, he saw the hostess and a very skinny and pale girl.

The hostess told her:

“Do not make me laugh! I will not let you work here! Your bones will not be attractive for any visitor!”

“But maybe I could wash the floors or dishes?” — the girl uttered gingerly.

“Go away and do not disgrace my establishment! It is — for solid clients!”

… The girl sadly lowered her eyes and began to leave.

Yunshen felt sorry for the poor girl, thinking: “Apparently, she has been hungry for a long time! And things are not going well in her life!”

He called out to the girl:

“Wait a minute! What’s your name?”

“Siuli.”

“Come with me, let’s have lunch over there!” — he pointed to the tavern.

Siuli looked up in surprise:

“I have no money, sir! I have nothing to pay with…”

“That’s why I invite you. Do not worry, I will not hurt you!”

… They ate rice…

Siuli tried to eat slowly, and almost did not take her eyes away from the bowl. Only sometimes she, for a few seconds, raised her eyes to Yunshen.

“Do you have any relatives?” — he asked.

“Yes, my uncle lives in the city beyond those mountains. He does not know that I’ve been all alone since my father died. I was on my way there…”

“I, too, was on my way there!” — Yunshen said.

“Would you like, sir, to be so gracious as to let me go with you? My uncle must be a good man, and he could repay you for the food.”

“You do not owe me anything, Siuli! And I will walk with you to your uncle. The road over the mountains is hard and very long. I’ll take you with me, but on one condition: you will tell me what you know about love.”

“What you have done for me, sir, can also be called love! After all, you were ready to help a completely unknown girl!”

“I did not think that love could be so simple! For many years, I was taught how to forget what is kindness and compassion. But I, it turns out, can still remember it. And it is very nice!

“It will be better if you tell me about yourself: if I help one whom I know — I will more confidently assume that I have known what love is!”

Siuli smiled for the first time since they met:

“It seems you know how to joke, sir! But currently, I have little to say. I know calligraphy and how to draw. My father taught me, and he was a good artist. But he was ill for a long time before his death, and, for the debts, we have lost all our property. And now, if had not been for you, I would have died of starvation.”

“And my name is Yunshen. I know how to fight with any kind of weapon and without weapons. Today, this city will hold a contest. I will win the prize — and we will have enough money for the journey! If you want, I’ll buy you accessories for writing and drawing.”

Siuli was confused:

“I could never accept such a gift: it’s very expensive!

“But why do you believe that you will win all the contests?”

“I know only one Master Who can defeat me. But I do not think that He will try to challenge me for the prize, because you and I need money for the journey!

“Our meeting with that Master still lies ahead, and you will help me to get closer to it!

“And please, do not dignify me as ‘sir’: because you’re not my servant, and we have a long road ahead together!”

* * *

And, in fact, Yunshen won all the contests. Siuli, closing her eyes in fear, just waited until the end of the competitions.

Under the enthusiastic cries of the crowd of spectators, the prize was delivered to Yunshen.

“Well, now let’s go to the market!”

Yunshen bought food and everything that they needed for the journey: because they had to travel over the mountains. Then he gave Siuli the opportunity to choose the brushes, ink, and paper.

They stopped to spend the night in a hotel — so that the next day they could leave early in the morning.

“Today you did not tell me anything about love…”

“Can I answer without words?”

“How?”

Siuli quickly made a remarkable drawing, on which was written the hieroglyph “thanks” and the branch of a blossoming peach tree.

Yunshen looked at the picture for a long time. It seemed that even the empty space on the paper was full of tenderness, and each flower petal was opened as if it was giving away a kiss.

Yunshen knew how the power of the soul can be collected into a single point, to then be sent as an irresistible blow on the enemy.

But here, in this picture, — there was also a special power of the soul, which, however, sounded like… a gentle melody…

… In the morning, when the owner of the hotel saw the drawing, he asked to keep it in lieu of payment. He told Yunshen that such a great artist had never before stopped here.

Yunshen wanted to assert that it was not he — who was the artist, and that he would not give up the drawing, but Siuli went in front of him and whispered:

“Let him take it: the drawing will hang here for many years in memory of our meeting. It will please many people! And I will draw more! And do not tell him that I drew it: you will not be believed!”

They left, leaving the drawing to be placed in the hotel.

“Why did you not permit me to say that it was your creation?”

“In the past, I once tried to sell my drawings. But I was accused of stealing them, and they took away everything. A woman is not supposed to be able to do something that only a man should do…”

* * *

They went to the pass by using the mountain trails. By noon, Yunshen started to see that Siuli had already began to lag behind.

“I’ll catch up now!” — she cried every time when Yunshen stopped to wait for her.

Soon Yunshen realized the cause: Siuli, who was unaccustomed to such travels, had chafed her feet by the straps of her wooden sandals to the point that they were bleeding.

“Why did you not say so immediately?” — he shook his head to Yunshen. — “Now you will not be able to walk for several days!”

He scanned the surrounding area and found certain leaves, which help in the healing of wounds.

He seated Siuli on a flat rock and bandaged her feet.

“Now hang on my back, otherwise we will lose a lot of time.”

“No-no! I’ll try to walk by myself!”

But Yunshen urged Siuli to accept his suggestion. She grabbed him by the neck and clung to his back. He picked up her legs under the knees. In this manner, they continued on their way.

* * *

One night, instead of a story about what love is, Siuli said:

“I love you, Yunshen! And now, I myself know exactly what love is! But I cannot explain it…”

He kissed her lips which were saying the words of love.

“You are a good mentor, Siuli! Thanks to you, I am gradually starting to understand it myself.”

… The next morning, they continued their journey over the mountains. The sky was singing to them songs of love, gentle mountain flowers were smiling at their happiness, the wind played with their hair and caressed their faces with transparent kisses. The world around was filled with happiness! Life now had a meaning, since it was lit by love!

Yunshen recalled the words of Master Heavenly Heart: “The world around you looks the way that you look at it yourself!”

“What a wonderful world this is, if it is full of love!” — Yunshen said.

… During this time, Yunshen told his beloved Siuli how he studied under mentor Shenli, and how he met Master Heavenly Heart.

He suggested that they go to find Master Heavenly Heart, instead of going to the uncle of Siuli. She agreed.

“Do you think that I, too, can learn from Him?” — Siuli asked with some trepidation.

“I think so: He suggested that I cognize what love is, and you are the one who has given me this treasure!”

* * *

Once they reached the mountains, they were met by a heavy downpour. It caused landslides and avalanches.

Having noticed the safest place, Yunshen dragged Siuli there — and just in time: a hail of stones and clay fell on the spot where they had just stood.

“Hurry! Over there we can be saved!” — Yunshen pointed to the stable overhanging ledge of a solid stone monolith ahead. They rushed there, but Siuli kept slipping and falling. Then Yunshen asked her to again climb on his back and clasp his neck. They were only a few meters away from reaching the safe place when the trail under Yunshen’s legs collapsed… He held onto the ledge with great difficulty, his hands were slipping. They were hanging over the precipice. And suddenly he realized that Siuli, to save him, released her hands. In just a small fraction of a second — he grabbed her with one hand, almost falling into the terrible abyss… He gathered all his strength of consciousness and body into one point — and accomplished the impossible: they were able to get out…

He was now grateful to Shenli for that strength and agility, for instant reflexes and the ability to see the space around, which Shenli had taught him!…

They reached the safe overhang and were able to take shelter there from the rain, wind, and streams of stones and clay, falling from the mountain slope.

Yunshen hugged Siuli, who was trembling, and realized… how fragile and insecure was the happiness that was granted to them by Heaven during the last few days…

Questions about the purpose of life and death stood before him…

In the past, his life and the lives of other people seemed to him as only insignificant episodes in the life of the Land under Heaven — but now, the life of this fragile and delicate girl meant so much to him!

And what would have happened, if he had not caught her?

And where would they be now, if their bodies had died?

What will Master Heavenly Heart be able to teach them? Does He have the answers to these questions?

And the main question: how to find Him?

* * *

For a long time, Yunshen and Siuli searched for Master Heavenly Heart. But it was to no avail.

None of the local residents had even heard about Him.

Once, Siuli said:

“If Master Heavenly Heart is Immortal, He can hear our thoughts and knows our intentions. Apparently, we still do not correctly understand something. When we understand this — He Himself will come to us or we will find the way to Him! It costs nothing for Him to come to the place where He is needed!”

“Yes, you’re right, Siuli!

“Let’s try to figure out why we want to find Him. Let’s imagine that He is standing right in front of us, and let’s tell Him: why we want to find Him.”

“I always wanted to learn to paint so that a spectator, seeing the picture, hears the birds singing in the silence, or the rustle of leaves, or even perceive how fragrant the flowers are. And — looking at the portrait, one could see the character and thoughts of the person who was drawn. And — seeing the image of a mountain brook, one could strive to move together with it through the valley to reach the sea. And so that the beauty of the Earth, from the dizzying heights to the depths of the sea, could be shown to souls!

“I want Love to live in each line of a drawing and be a source of light for those souls which know how to love.

“But do I maybe dream of the impossible?

“My father told me that One, Who has cognized Tao, creates Beauty, drawing it from the Infinite Source!

“He said that Tao can manifest Himself in the Creation — with the help of Those Who have cognized Tao.

“I did not dare admit, even to myself, that I dreamed to be like Those Immortals Who can tune people’s hearts to Love and turn them away from evil thoughts and deeds…

“And now — it’s your turn, Yunshen! Speak, as if Master Heavenly Heart hears you: why do you want to learn from Him?”

“Before, I wanted to be a warrior and did everything for this. But then I met Master Heavenly Heart and learned how imperfect were my skills!…

“He instructed me to cognize love. And you gave me the knowledge of it!

“But I have also realized how fragile and insecure is that which we love in the Creation and try to keep!

“You and I need to cognize that Love that is connected to the Power of Tao — to understand the purpose of life and death, action and non-action.

“I would like to serve Tao with everything that I already know, and with all that which I will one day learn!

“It is said that there is a spiritual Alchemy that transforms both the body and soul. And that everything, which is cognized as internal energies in the art of combat, are only small traces of that Knowledge, which must be cognized as the Great Ultimate.”

… They fell silent.

They became surrounded by an amazing resonating, transparent Silence! It was as if the whole universe listened to their words and intentions…

But nothing happened.

… Yunshen and Siuli continued their quest and their journey.

* * *

One morning, Yunshen said:

“Today I had a dream. It was like I was floating in the most subtle and gentle Fire. And my every movement in this Heavenly Fire joined this Fire-Space with the space within my body. And Master Heavenly Heart smiled and said something to me, but I cannot remember His words…

“Perhaps, we ourselves must seek the Truth and, as far as possible, help others to do the same.

“Since we cannot find Master Heavenly Heart, let’s open a school for children. You can teach them to read and draw. And I’ll try to teach them how to make the body healthy and clean.”

“How can we teach, when we ourselves do not have the Knowledge?”

“Let’s suppose that we are now able to share a little: namely, just that which we ourselves have already learned. But by trying to help others — love lives! After all, you taught me this!”

… And then Yunshen and Siuli felt like the clear air around became filled with the Great Silence and Peace. In the area around them, there was the presence of the Living Light-Love. Then, this Light turned into the huge form of a smiling Face, beaming with Tenderness. Then the outlines disappeared, and Master Heavenly Heart stepped out to them from the Light. His body acquired a visible and tangible form, like an ordinary human body. And yet — this body was unusual: it was filled with unshakable Calm and emitted the Light.

Master Heavenly Heart said:

“I am pleased to welcome you, Yunshen! And I am glad to introduce Myself to you, dear Siuli!

“You both have very quickly and successfully passed the tests and lessons, which a soul must pass in order to enter the Path of Cognition of the Great Mysteries of the Creator and the Creation!

“You both have found the heart love, which is needed on the Path of cognizing the meaning of life and the cognition of Tao and Te!

“Now the ancient Teachings of Tao are forgotten by most people. People do not remember about the rectitude that was taught by Lao Tse! And man is looking for how to win and excel over others — in wealth, strength, and the ability to fight…

“But the power of the consciousness must not serve this purpose! Dangerous is the path of striving for strength, power, and glory that people now seek! Growing the strength of one’s coarseness and cruelty — distracts one from the real meaning of life!

“Not many, who start their search in the pursuit of strength, are able, later on, to cognize subtlety and Love!

“Those who think about how to destroy, attack, and kill… — waste so much time in vain!

“Having understood this, you can come closer to understanding the Laws of Tao.

“The lifespan of humans on the Earth has become short. But still people waste their lives! They are finding pleasure for themselves… — in fighting each other! Then they grow old and die, not comprehending why they came here and where they go! Bodies become decrepit, minds weaken… — and earthly lives pass in vain, without bringing one closer to the Truth!

“All ‘morality’ is now reduced to worshiping dead ancestors and sacrificing to them…

“Yes, care and respect for the elderly — are commendable, as well as taking care of wives and properly raising children!

“But, to worship the dead, who were unaware of the Light, — cannot bring one closer to the Light!

“There are things that can be beneficial for oneself and for one’s own family. There are also things that can be beneficial for the entire state… However, there are Higher Laws that are applied even to the rulers among people! And the decline of the foundations of ethics by people and their rulers — could lead a country to ruin…

“The clear Teachings of Lao Tse are now studied only in some monasteries…

“And there is so much distortion in the interpretations of the Teachings of Tao! The mentors teach of emptiness and non-doing, but they do not know, do not understand that which they decided to teach!

“I would like to return the doctrine of Tao back to its pristine purity for the people on the Earth!

“The great Alchemy of souls is needed to bring them to the cognition of Tao. This is a huge labor for souls and bodies. Understand: if the bodily energies are coarse — the Light of Tao is incognizable. To reside and act in a body which contains coarse energies — is the way to gain a foothold in the coarse and heavy states of a soul!

“The Light of Te and the Peace of Tao are the Greatest Subtleties! Tao is the Subtlest of everything in the universe! Therefore, cognition of Tao is sometimes called the comprehension of the Great Ultimate!

“And you now have to work hard on soul and bodily energies to transform them and make them similar to the Light and Fire of Te, and then — to the Transparent Calm of Tao!

“There are some simple basics of spiritual knowledge.

“Just as the meaning and spelling of hieroglyphs are needed to be able to read and write — so the basics of the structure and life of a soul and a body will be needed for you to explore and master the Path of cognition of Tao!

“Tao takes into Itself Those Who have reached Its Great Peace.

“Tao also creates everything by the Fire Power. And It supports and manages it — through the help of Great Te.

“To start on the Path of Knowledge, it is necessary to purify, open and grow the spiritual heart that allows the soul to cognize the worlds of Light, Purity, and Subtlety!

“It is necessary to know and to clear the seven centers in the body and the meridians, which connect them. This will give the ability to manage your emotions and other movements of the soul. This can be achieved by means of specific exercises.

“When the bodily energies have become pure, and when the soul has become the mistress in the space of inner silence of the developed spiritual heart, and when man can manage his or her desires and emotions effectively — then you will be ready for more! Those are the great accomplishments of the soul!

“I will only lightly outline the milestones of the Path.

“It is necessary to:

‘Connect your love and the Love of Tao.

‘Connect the will of the soul with the Will of Tao.

‘Connect thinking with the Wisdom of Tao.

‘Connect the fire of the soul’s love with the Fire of all Te.

‘Serve all beings of the Earth — with those skills that you have obtained.’

“Do you agree to devote your earthly lives to this?”

… Yunshen and Siuli said “yes” in high regard.

… Thus our story ends. And such studies become available only to those who have fully dedicated their lives to cognition of Tao and to serving It!