The Master and The Right Path - by A. Paul Miller

The new student was walking through the grounds of the school when he heard some of the other students jeering at him and telling him he did not belong there. How could anyone from such a poor quarter of the town hope to understand the teachings and even do anything with them?

He had only been at the school for a couple of weeks and was already wondering if he should leave, and even considering this path of study was a big mistake.

He was about to enter the library, with his hand on the doorknob when suddenly the Master came out. Moving quickly to get out of the Master’s way, he broke out of his revelry when the Master said.
“Hello, I think you are new around here. How long have you been here?”

“About 2 weeks”, the student replied in a glum tone. “I am beginning to think it was a mistake coming here. The other students tell me I do not belong, and I think they are right.”

“Hmmm”, said the Master pensively.” Why do you think you do not belong here?”

“I am from the poorer quarter of town, my father is a tanner and everyone here is from some sort of money and they do not let me forget it.”

The student went on “They say that I will not be able to understand the concepts and as a tanner’s son what would I do with this knowledge any way. Then they just laugh at me.”

“Why did you come here in the first place?” asked the Master.

Suddenly brightening up the student replied, ” I have this thirst for knowing more about who I am beyond just what appears on the surface. I am always asking my parents questions and they do not know how to answer.

My mother said that if I wanted answers to my questions, then I should come here to study.”

“Well that is good” smiled the Master “How have you found the knowledge that you have experienced so far?”

“I love it, in the beginning I really felt as though I had found my place. The jeering started, and I started to wonder if it was just wishful thinking.

“Walk with me”, the Master said. “Are your studies finished for the day?”
“Yes, where are we going? The student curiously asked.
“You’ll see,” the Master said, smiling.

The pair of them headed along a path that led to the local town. As they strolled along the Master told the student to notice the view as they went towards the town.

“What do you see?” asked the Master.

“Well, I see the open countryside, the fields where farmer Jack is ploughing.”

“Yes, what else?” the Master went on “Do not just look down”

“I see some birds spiraling around each other, the blue sky, and the forest in the distance.”

“Excellent. How do you feel?” said the Master.

“Oh, wonderful” the student replied full of excitement. ”This is my favorite walk to the town, it is the best!!
They continued into the town where the Master bought a few items and then said, ” We should be heading back to the school now, let’s go”.

As they walked out of the town, the student could see that they were on a different path, one the led into a forest.

“Where are we going?” asked the student.
“Back to the school." said the Master. “Do you know this way?”
“I have heard of it but I have never actually walked it”

“Well you’ll learn two new things today.” Said the Master, smiling.

“Two? If the path is the first what’s the second?” now frowning and a little winded replied the student while trying to keep up with the Master.
“You’ll see.” said the Master

As they walked into the forest the Master asked “What do you see?”

“Trees, everywhere “said the student.

Sighing, the Master added, “Look deeper and more closely”.

They walked for a short time with the student giving a running commentary of what he was noticing. The deer hiding behind a tree, the bird signing in the branches of a pine tree and moss covering the rocks and the sunlight shining through the canopy like sunbeams.

“It is so peaceful and still” the student whispered.
“Yes it is” smiled the Master.

Quite quickly they found themselves back at the school.
“So,” said the Master, ”What did you think of that path back to the school?”

“That was amazing once you told me to slow down and be a better observer I found it quite beautiful”.
“Yes, it is very peaceful”, replied the Master. He continued, “Which one is the most beautiful?”

“Ooo that’s a difficult question, they are both beautiful but in different ways. The walk in the countryside was beautiful because I could see so much of the scenery, but the forest was amazing because of all the animals I could see and the feeling of being that close to nature.”

“Very good, now what do they both have in common?” Asked the Master.
The student looked stumped. The student thought about it for a short while, going through various answers in his head when he tentatively said “They both lead to the town?”

“Correct”, said the Master, “Ok, so here is the big leap. Let’s see where you can go with this? How does this relate to your background and what the other students are say about you?”

Stroking his top lip as he was wont to when in deep thought, the student after a few moments started to smile and said “Where you start on your path to inner knowledge and how you get there is not as important as continuing to walk on it. There are many paths, all leading to the same goal. So my path is different from the others but we are all going towards the same goal!”

After finishing, he looked at the Master, checking to see if he had it right.

“Perfect.” Said the Master, "you are in the right place and at the right time. Do not let anyone ever tell you differently. You’ll do just great here. Welcome, and it is wonderful to have you at the school and I cannot wait to see how you’ll enrich it."

“Oh, by the way … that was the second thing you learned today,” said the Master smiling.
With that he gently bowed and walked off, leaving the student full of new hope and excitement.