The Art of Redirection
The Art of Redirection
The softness of denial
There was once a beautiful young girl, whose heart was soft and pure sweetness. When she breathed, nature smiled. Her name was Yin Li.
Sometimes she would walk barefoot, stepping gingerly because her feet were sensitive. In fact, her heart was soft like the tender soles of her feet — feeling every breath and movement, including all the thoughts of those around her.
The things she could sense and feel were extraordinary and exquisite. But they could also be painful and upsetting. In time, the hidden thoughts and harsh words of her fellow villagers caught up with her, and the bruising and pain on her heart caused her to fall critically ill.
She slowly faded from life, lying alone in her hut until one day an old master happened by and stuck his head in the door.
The Rude Old Master
Upon seeing her condition he inquired as to what she planned to do about it.
In her weakened state she could barely respond, but finally managed to whisper that there was nothing to do, all that could be done had already been done.
“Then what are you lying around waiting for?” he inquired.
Confused by his question, she could only stammer, “Nothing.”
“Then if you are lying around waiting for nothing, why are you so preoccupied with anything at all? Is it nothing or something? Why don’t you just die? Answer me! You’re making no sense whatsoever,” he declared, shaking his head. He abruptly stormed out of her hut.
The next morning he unexpectedly showed up at sunrise, and sat down on a small three-legged wooden stool. He started smacking his lips, eating his porridge noisily. It was messy, as he was scooping it up with bare fingers.
“Look. You’re an idiot,” he finally stated. “It’s simple to see. You are trapped in softness, the softness of denial.”
“Thoughts are like arrows. They shoot out of a person’s mind, or mouth, seeking a target. Once they are launched, it is inevitable that they fall back to the earth. You are made of earth and dirt, a soft and natural target for an arrow. But that is not all that you are made of. You are denying three fourths of your nature. Why not become fire, or wind or water? Is that so far beyond your ability to imagine?”
“But I feel life so deeply,” she whispered. “How can I ever change?”
“You feel life so deeply because each arrow and every thought has a point. Often it is sharp and penetrating. Turn yourself into fire. Arrows burn in the fire. Fire consumes them, turning them into ash. Become water. Arrows harmlessly penetrate water, because water first yields and then drowns and weakens even the sharpest and fastest of arrows. Or why not whisper or roar like the wind? Wind diverts the arrow’s path, stepping aside as it effortlessly redirects each barb, changing its angle of attack.”
Exasperated with all the talk, he yelled. “Get it? Are you stupid? Surely you can see this!”
Resurrection
She arose from her bed and immediately declared her desire to become the master’s apprentice. She studied faithfully and in time became known for her dexterity of mind and heart.
Eventually Yin Li became a highly sought after teacher. Even the district governor called upon her skills for the most difficult of negotiations, admiring her ability to readily neutralize the most stubborn and obstinate opponents and adversaries.
When she died, people came from over one hundred miles away to pay their respects. After her death she became a local deity, and was from then on known as Li Shui Feng, keeper of wind and water wisdom.