The Single Step
Posted by Brad Osborne on April 13, 2022 · 20 Comments
~~~
Ak’wian struggled to understand the duality represented by the Yin and Yang. It was hard to contemplate that all things held both ends of any spectrum. How could a kindness hold any evil? Or an evil act any good?
The student visited his Master, Qui Lum, in the temple to ask about this important tenet of thought. He made his inquiry and Qui Lum sat quietly for a moment, pondering how to best help his faithful student understand this important truth. After a short time, Qui Lum rose and asked Ak’wian to come with him to the entrance of the temple. He asked Ak’wian to step just outside, as he remained at the door. The student obliged and turned to face his Master just inside.
Qui Lum asked, “How many steps lead into the temple?”
Ak’wian answered, “Just the one, Master.”
“And what is the step made of?”, he inquired of Ak’wian.
“It is made of stone and mortar,” was the students reply.
“Well, then on this we can agree. Between us lies one stone step,” said Qui Lum. “Now, answer me this, is the step up or down?”
“It is a step up, Master” answered Ak’wian.
Qui Lum instructed his student to exchange places with him. The Master now stood in the courtyard looking back at Ak’wian in the doorway.
“Now, is the step up or down? Asked Qui Lum of his student.
“From here, it is a step down, Master” answered Ak’wian.
“How can it be that the step, which is still but one, and still made of stone and mortar, that has changed in no way, be both up and down?” asked Qui Lum. “All natural things are like this. What they are beyond what we see is always the culmination of what are direct opposites. The only thing which creates up or down is the direction we are travelling. And in either direction it never ceases to remain just one step of mortar and stone. When we follow our path, living in each moment, our direction determines what are steps become.”
~~~
Rate this:
Related
Filed under Taoist Parables · Tagged with direction, duality, evil, good, nature, opposites, parable, perception, philosophy, single, steps, Tao, taoism, taoist koan, yin and yang
Comments
20 Responses to “The Single Step”Leave a Reply Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
commonsensiblyspeaking 
Inspiring
Thank you, Shashi! Very kind of you to say.
a master lesson, brad
Thank you, Beth! These stories are sometimes the most fun to write.
Such a great example to explain the otherwise unexplainable!
Thanks, sis! You are the best!
Very true indeed…
Thank you, my friend!
Always a pleasure my friend!
I applaud this beautiful piece Brad. What an amazing story with a great message. BRAVO. ❤️🤗🙏love Jonikins
Thanks, Jonikins!
What a joy to read, Brad. It’s so beautifully written and woven into a rich cultural and spiritual exchange of wisdom. 💛🤗
Thanks, Karla! These stories are my only chance to write in fiction, and although challenging, I do enjoy writing them. Much love to you and have a happy Easter! 💜😘
It’s my pleasure! Truly! I’m glad you enjoy writing them. Much love back to you and Happy Easter, too! 💛❤️🤗😘
An excellent lesson for all of us and a beautiful way of teaching it.
Thank you, Pete! What a beautiful thing to say, especially from someone who has taught his whole life. I appreciate you, my friend! By the way, I am missing Jim’s wit and humor already.
Absolutely! I hope things are okay with him. I wrote him a couple of days ago, and I haven’t heard back. Hopefully, it’s nothing more than a much-needed break. We can’t all be Cal Ripken. 😎
I think I will write him too, just to check in. And you are right, Pete, we all can’t be Cal. Take care, my friend!
He answered me yesterday. He’s well—just needed a break. Just had a beer in Helena, Montana, with our son.Meeting his fiancee and him for dinner. Life is good.
I got the same response and was glad to hear that he will eventually return, although in a more limited scope. Enjoy your time with your family and be well my friend!