An old Japanese tale goes, a belligerent samurai once challenged a Zen master to explain the concept of heaven and hell. But the monk replied with scorn, “you’re nothing but a lout…I can’t waste my time with the likes of you!” His very honor attacked, the samurai flew into a rage and pulling his sword from it’s scabbard, yelled, “I could kill you for your impertinence!” That, the monk calmly replied, is hell. Startled at seeing the truth in what the master pointed out about the fury that had him in it’s grip, the samurai calmed down, sheathed his sword, and bowed, thanking the monk for his insight. And that, said the monk…is heaven. Anger is a trap. When we allow ourselves to…
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