After achieving 7th dan, I was training for my final grade in snake style Kung Fu.
I was instructed to Climb Wudan Mountain’s peak with my bare hands.
Half way to the summit, I collapsed from exhaustion. Unable to continue, I meditated to meet Prayer master Shi Yan Hui as he practised Zazen.
“I cannot continue” I exclaimed. “The task is too much.”
“Young Cobra” he started, “If there was a tiger behind you, sure to kill you if you stopped, what would you do?”
“If I must climb to live, I would climb.” was my reply.
“The tiger is a master of stealth. How would you know if it was behind you?”
“It’s near impossible to tell” I replied.
“Then you must always climb, just in case.”