Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

The Balance of Ancient Essays.
"This work," said Mr. Chen, "criticizes very nicely
Confucius and Mencius. Yes, he was a little wise,"
he added reflectively. "Everywhere in his rooms
were ready-prepared writing materials: a brush, ink
and paper. Whatever he was doing, he kept his mind
only upon his writing, and wherever he went the
materials were at hand.
Mr. Chen got up to demonstrate this ancient
worthy's good concentration: he walked slowly
about the room. An idea seemed to come to him, and
seizing an imaginary brush it was quickly noted
down, then slowly and with concentration he turned
to do something else. "In this way The Balance of
Ancient Essays was written," said Mr. Chen.
Bhante added that the method reminded one of a
writer who had his notes laid out on tile floors of
seven large rooms, with quite a number stacked
under paperweights all over the furniture. No one
but himself was allowed to touch these papers, for
he said that only in this way could he find what he
wanted!
"Yes," continued the yogi, "these ancients never let
their thoughts wander. In Chinese there is a phrase
describing their thoughts: they are said to be 'so
vigorous they shoot up and tear the moon in
137