For those of you looking to make resolutions in the new year, (or just appreciate good illustrations of concepts), I offer Edgar Allan Poe’s thoughts on Procrastination as illustrated on Zen Pencils.
Along the same lines are sentiments expressed by Won Hyo, an influential Buddhist thinker from Korea.
“As evening draws near, you regret that you did not practice early in the morning. The worldly pleasure which you enjoy now becomes suffering in the future. Why then are you attached to this pleasure? One moment of practice becomes lasting pleasure. Why then do you not practice?”
– Won Hyo
While he was likely speaking directly about practices like meditation, he probably recognized it can be applied to any activity in life from artistic practice to learning a new skill to exercising patience with children.
I don’t usually put a lot of stock in the worldwide inventory of words of wisdom, aphorisms, and pity sayings but this one has stuck with me for nearly 15 years. Perhaps it is because it only requires the investment of a moment.
Certainly I am going to invest more than a moment of effort in something that will provide future benefit. There is something in the psychology involved with only needing to give up a moment of current pleasure that isn’t present in Lao Tzu aphorism, “A journey of 1,000 li begins with the first step,” even though the underlying sentiment is the same.
Who likes to be faced with a 1,000 li journey? How about 360 miles? That is what 1,000 li measures out to be. Just shows how much perception factors into our decisions. That is actually the basis of Won Hyo’s enlightenment experience.
Supposedly he and a friend took shelter in an earthen structure during a rain storm one night. Once he was safe inside, he found a bowl full of refreshing water which he drained. It wasn’t until the next morning that they discovered they took shelter in a crypt and Won Hyo drank brackish water from a human skull. Nothing changed in the facts of the situation from night to day, but his perception of reality impacted his acceptance and enjoyment of the experience.
More to consider than I originally intended to lay on you my faithful readers, but there you are.
Best wishes for a happy, prosperous and thoughtful New Year.