A youth carried a
dream — to become a swordsman. He sought out a Zen master, renowned for wisdom
and unmatched skill with the blade. Bowing deeply, the youth requested,
“Master, Please train me in this art.”
The master gazed
into his eyes. “You must be patient, attentive, and focused. It may take
years.” “I am ready. I am determined,” the youth replied.
The master handed
him the utensils. “Wash them. Sweep the floor and the surroundings. This will
be your duty until further orders.”
The youth obeyed
with enthusiasm. Days passed. Weeks turned into months. Then, one day, while
cooking, the master struck his back with a stick. It happened again and again.
The youth tried to defend himself, but always failed.
One night, while
he slept, the master struck him once more. Suddenly, the youth realized: an
attack may come from any side, at any time. He became vigilant, attentive,
awake.
One day, when the
master was asleep, the youth picked up the stick to test his own awareness. But
before the blow landed, the master’s hand had already caught it. The youth was
astonished.
The attacks
continued. Some he managed to avert. Finally, one night, as the master raised
the stick to strike, the youth caught it in his sleep.
The master
smiled: “Your training is complete.
The true power of
the sword lies not in the blade, but in the mind. A swordsman must be so
attentive that he senses the strike before it begins.
You have mastered
patience, vigilance, and awareness. This is the essence of swordsmanship.
Remember: if you
can defend with clarity, you can also strike when required. But let your sword
serve first as a shield, not as a weapon of aggression. Attack only when
necessity calls, never when impulse tempts.
Take up the sword
now, and walk with it.”
Reflection:
Dreams are like
swords — powerful, but dangerous if misused. The youth’s journey shows that
before one learns to strike, one must learn to endure, to defend, and to remain
patient. Defense builds awareness; awareness makes an attack purposeful.
In life, this
means:
- Patience teaches us to wait for the right
moment.
- Hard work strengthens us to carry the weight
of responsibility.
- Awareness allows us to anticipate challenges
before they arrive.
- Action — like the strike of a sword — must
come only when it is necessary, guided by clarity, not by impulse.
Every dream
requires this balance. To nurture a dream is to defend it against doubt, delay,
and distraction. To realise a dream is to act decisively when the right moment
arrives.
Dr. Mahendra
Ingale Pune, April 14,
2026
Author of Value‑Based
Leadership
#EngineeringDreamsInspiringSouls
#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats
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