A young but
earnest Zen student approached his teacher, and asked the Zen Master:
"If I work very hard and diligent how long will it take
for me to find Zen."
The Master thought about this, then replied, "Ten years."
The student then said, "But what if I work very, very
hard and really apply myself to learn fast
-- How long then ?"
Replied
the Master, "Well, twenty years."
"But, if I really, really work at it. How long then
?" asked the student.
"Thirty years," replied the Master.
"But, I do not understand," said the disappointed student.
"At each time that I say I will work harder, you say
it will take me longer.
Why do you say that ?"
Replied the Master," When you have one eye on the goal,
you only have one eye on the path."
