Hi folks!
The other day I was watching the sequel to Kung Fu Panda. In this movie, Po(the Panda) has to save all of China by defeating a peacock that comes from a line of peacock-kings, but turned evil. (Yup, they continue to come up with never-before-plots) While fighting him, Po is struck dumb by a symbol on the peacock's feathers, and it brings up his earliest memories, which (shocker of shockers) shows a mommy-panda who leaves him on a doorstep to save him from the um..peacocks.
And then I understood why the son of a duck - uhoh, does that sound like what i think it sounds?- who cooks noodles for a living, is a panda. I gotta admit, I had an inkling of a doubt right at the start of the first movie, and hey! They were just laying the ground for sequels. Who knew, right?
I'm getting distracted, as always. Essentially, the story is about Po's encounter with his past. His kung-fu master says he has to find 'inner peace' to harness the power of the world, and that only 'inner peace' can save Kung Fu. Well into the movie, Po realises this, and lets go of the past, and accepts who he is. He hasn't really let go of his misgivings, and sorted out his feelings, and as he was doing so, he blasted the villain away.
Then I remembered a story I'd heard long ago. Once, ages ago, a king wanted to know the true meaning of peace. And so he sent messengers all over his kingdom, to inform artists to show him a true glimpse of peace. The one that satisfied the king would get a hefty price. The anointed day arrived, and the king strolled the room, looking at the different sculptures and paintings. Numerous angels, damsels, deers, had all been sculpted from marble and stone, in serene poses. Hundreds of paintings, depicting lush, rolling scenery.
But in the end, the king chose 2 paintings. One, of a calm lake with a lazy meadow on its banks, and on the edge two puppies played. The other painting, was of a churning waterfall. A storm could be seen gathering, dark clouds throwing a shadow on a tree next to the waterfall. In the tree, was a threadbare nest, and through the misty spray, you could see a bird feeding its young ones. They were chirping for the food, and seemed to be unaware of the situation around them.
You know where I'm going, don't you? The king, after deep thought, chose the second painting. Said he, "Peace does not come of beautiful places, and kind words. It comes of the ability to master ones troubles, by simply choosing to let them go. No matter the state of the world around you, it is the tempest in your heart that must be calmed."
And all the kingdom came to see the famous painting, and hear the wisdom behind its theme.
You cover your mouth with your hand, and try not to laugh, when your
brother says something funny when your jaw is frozen with icecream?
You wake up in the morning, and draw the curtains and blink in the sunlight?
That split second when there's no one in the house, and you're on the couch, and when you're favourite show comes on, and you sink just a little bit lower, relaxed? That's peace.
You know that one moment when you're crying, and the next moment,
you're trying to remember your favourite song's first line, and for a
moment, it's as if there's no weight on your shoulders?
You're feeling at the bottom of the world for 6 weeks, then one day, you consciously straighten your shoulders, and keep your chin up as you walk home?
That's also peace.
The other day I was watching the sequel to Kung Fu Panda. In this movie, Po(the Panda) has to save all of China by defeating a peacock that comes from a line of peacock-kings, but turned evil. (Yup, they continue to come up with never-before-plots) While fighting him, Po is struck dumb by a symbol on the peacock's feathers, and it brings up his earliest memories, which (shocker of shockers) shows a mommy-panda who leaves him on a doorstep to save him from the um..peacocks.
And then I understood why the son of a duck - uhoh, does that sound like what i think it sounds?- who cooks noodles for a living, is a panda. I gotta admit, I had an inkling of a doubt right at the start of the first movie, and hey! They were just laying the ground for sequels. Who knew, right?
I'm getting distracted, as always. Essentially, the story is about Po's encounter with his past. His kung-fu master says he has to find 'inner peace' to harness the power of the world, and that only 'inner peace' can save Kung Fu. Well into the movie, Po realises this, and lets go of the past, and accepts who he is. He hasn't really let go of his misgivings, and sorted out his feelings, and as he was doing so, he blasted the villain away.
Then I remembered a story I'd heard long ago. Once, ages ago, a king wanted to know the true meaning of peace. And so he sent messengers all over his kingdom, to inform artists to show him a true glimpse of peace. The one that satisfied the king would get a hefty price. The anointed day arrived, and the king strolled the room, looking at the different sculptures and paintings. Numerous angels, damsels, deers, had all been sculpted from marble and stone, in serene poses. Hundreds of paintings, depicting lush, rolling scenery.
But in the end, the king chose 2 paintings. One, of a calm lake with a lazy meadow on its banks, and on the edge two puppies played. The other painting, was of a churning waterfall. A storm could be seen gathering, dark clouds throwing a shadow on a tree next to the waterfall. In the tree, was a threadbare nest, and through the misty spray, you could see a bird feeding its young ones. They were chirping for the food, and seemed to be unaware of the situation around them.
You know where I'm going, don't you? The king, after deep thought, chose the second painting. Said he, "Peace does not come of beautiful places, and kind words. It comes of the ability to master ones troubles, by simply choosing to let them go. No matter the state of the world around you, it is the tempest in your heart that must be calmed."
And all the kingdom came to see the famous painting, and hear the wisdom behind its theme.
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| Credit |
Rudyard Kipling's words come to mind, "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you"
You wake up in the morning, and draw the curtains and blink in the sunlight?
That split second when there's no one in the house, and you're on the couch, and when you're favourite show comes on, and you sink just a little bit lower, relaxed? That's peace.
You're feeling at the bottom of the world for 6 weeks, then one day, you consciously straighten your shoulders, and keep your chin up as you walk home?
That's also peace.
Watching the waterfall,
☼Sunny☼
☼Sunny☼
