Approval

Zen Master Kosen was exceptionally skilled in calligraphy. Once, he was asked to sketch onto paper words to guide carpenters to carve on to the wooden gate of the temple. However while he sketched he was conscious of a bold apprentice who stood next to him, disapproving of Kosen first effort and his next and his next…

Kosen kept writing many attempts but without the endorsement of his pupil. Then, when his student stepped outside for a few moments, Kosen saw his chance to escape his keen eye. He wrote hurriedly, with a mind free from distraction. The pupil returned to see his work and state, ‘A masterpiece!’

Until, Kosen was overwhelmed by the burden of measuring up to his pupil’s approval, he could not actualise his own capability. The anxiety weighed him down and distracted him from his own natural performance. The momentary exit of his student freed him of the pressure and he was able to complete the task to his own approval as well as that of his pupil!

So often, we succumb to the stress and strain of approval of others, not only when surrounded by them, but also in their absence. Worrying about what others will think, about what we have done, is the biggest distraction that offsets us off our path. To be better at doing anything, we need to liberate ourselves of the anxiety that comes out of worrying about appraisal and approval by others.

Don’t let the burden of approval trigger anxiety...

Let’s overcome heaviness that offsets our ability

- Pravin K. Sabnis