A martial arts student approached his master with a question. “I’d like to improve my knowledge of the martial arts. How can I do that?”
The master replied, “Only through good judgment.”
“And how can I acquire good judgment?”
“Through experience.”
“And how can I gain experience?”
“Through bad judgment.”
Another variation of the story emphasizes the burden of one’s preconceptions and worries:
A man encountered a monk carrying a heavy sack. Seeing the age and wisdom in the monk’s eyes, the man asked, “What is the essence of life?”
The monk set down his heavy sack and stood straight and free. Then he looked into the man’s eyes and said, “Ah, how good to set down my burden.”
The man, inspired by this gesture, asked, “How can I find such freedom?”
The monk picked up his sack, slung it over his shoulder, and replied, “Ah, how good to take up my burden.”
Bodhi Day 